Years ago, when my first three were little, I was packing up Christmas on a quiet January day. I remember realizing that, believe it or not, no one outside our little family had seen our home at Christmas that year. I remember that year was frigidly cold in Pennsylvania, and many people were sick. Rhett was a baby, and the girls were young, and so it happened. No other person saw or enjoyed our cozy Christmas home that year.
Looking back, I remember feeling disappointed. Now, much older and hopefully a bit wiser, I realize my focus should not be creating a cozy, festive Christmas home for others to visit and enjoy. Instead, I should hope to make the most comfortable, Christmasy, warm place for us to settle in and spend the fleeting December days together. Of course, my being a homebody makes this easy. Still, I believe we must relish the time spent together for a few days at least, shutting out the chaos, noise, social media, consumerism, and pressure to go and do and buy and be. I will strive to do just that, hoping that this beautiful season we all wait for will not pass so quickly yet again. My motto this year: It is enough.
It is enough to have soup and sandwiches for dinner on busy December nights. It is enough to set the phone down and be present for another viewing of Rudolph or Christmas with the Kranks. It is enough to pass on those gorgeous Santa plates that I know will look amazing but that I don't need and use the precious ones I have had forever. It is enough to cut the Christmas card list down to a smaller group of people. It is enough to reschedule a visit until those less busy January days. It is enough to do what you want without feeling guilty. It is enough to love from afar and send Christmas wishes and joy. My friends, it is enough.
What can you add to this list? Feel free to share! And have a cozy Wednesday!
Billie Jo
( Google has these pretty pictures. )
This post is excellent. I need to feel the "this is enough." I am struggling this year and I think that less is going to more. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo! Great post and I agree 100%. I have been "downsizing" our Christmas celebrations for a while and continue to do so. This year, we will give small gifts to our grandchildren and instead treat them to a family "experience" after Christmas. Excellent thought. We must slow down and savor those we love. None of us really need more "stuff." Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is enough, my friend, and as I get older, I really don't care for all the noise. Sometimes it's fun, but on an everyday basis, it's not for me. Your words are special, and I am so thankful to have a blog friend who appreciates that it is enough to just enjoy this beautiful season without too much fuss or chaos. I actually have cut down my Christmas card giving too. These vintage pictures always stir my heart. I must be from another time haha. I always love your stories about your kids when they were little. I was with my children taking care of them all the time and every day, so I think that's why I relate to your stories so much. Thank you for being YOU. You are a special lady, you know that?
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Dearest Billie Joe,
ReplyDeleteFor both of us Christmas has always been the celebration of the birth of our Savior—nothing else.
It is almost sickening how people indulge in feeding their greedy ego and obey to the pushed consumerism!
And it all goes into the landfill, even the pretty cards and wrapping papers—tons of them.
Pondering with a hot cup of soup is far more valuable and for being together with Family.
Faith—Family is what it is about.
Hugs,
Mariette
Yes! Thank you for all of this Billie Jo! I absolutely agree with every word...the only thing that comes to mind, for me anyway, is to put in the forefront...It is not a competition of who can be the busiest, how perfect our families are, how many homemade gifts we can make, or how flawless we look ... all while doing the unimaginable. You are spot on in posting this and your timing is perfect. I'm just writing a similar post...it's time to stop. Thank you for the sweet reminder of what Christmas is all about, truly.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! I wholeheartedly agree with all of the statements. I've been living on doing things for me lately, and enjoying simple dinners at home. The great thing about my life right now is that I don't have to put much thought into meals and what I have to cook. I'm always looking for the bright sides of life, you know? Thanks for sharing these today, friend!
ReplyDeleteHello Billie Jo. I agree with everything you said! Thank you for this post today, dear friend.❤️
ReplyDeleteBoy, did I need that post today. I forget sometimes that my life as it is, is enough! And, I thank God for it.
ReplyDeleteSo much truth in this my friend. My children are all out of the home now. But everyone will be back some time during the holiday season. I've let go of the deep need to have everyone here for the holidays, but I must admit it'sstill a longing. But. I have chosen to enjoy whatever time they have to be together, and enjoy it fully.
ReplyDeleteI realized that my friends and I often get together for iced tea at McDonalds or at the coffee shop once a week. I'm going to start inviting ladies to my home more instead.
God bless you friend, and thank you for opening your home to us long-distance.
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
All sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWe've always had a low key Christmas..
I like to remember the real reason for the holiday. Jesus! ❤️
Such a lovely post and all true! Downsizing Christmas got easier for me when the grandkids came along. In my family the rule has always been that children should be able to have Christmas at home so now we go next door to our daughter's home. The tree and a few other cherished decorations are enough when we are both still working full time.
ReplyDeleteA very wise bit of advice!! It is especially true now that I am a widow. Life in general and holidays have a different feel now, but Christmas is always about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus!! I enjoyed your post!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone of these comments Billie-Jo. We try to keep the focus on the birth of Christ. Each year our celebration gets smaller and smaller. Dennis and I are usually alone for Christmas. We have been since Alex moved to Japan almost 20 years ago and our other kids were in different states. We always try for Thanksgiving instead. We even share Christmas gifts with Alex & family when there are here, usually on the day after Thanksgiving we switch to Christmas mode. We still exchange gifts with Mandy & family around Christmas, but they are always with her in-laws for the holiday. We said we would NEVER make our kids feel bad for going to their "other" family for any holidays. We don't expect them here with us. We've seen too many families divided over that.
ReplyDeleteMy point was that I have everything done and dusted for Christmas by our Thanksgiving celebration so I have the month of December to relax, enjoy the true meaning of the season, which is Jesus our Saviour and Messiah. I even make it a point to have all cards mailed by the day after Thanksgiving. It makes the month so peaceful. I love the vintage photos. So pretty and bring back some good memories of my childhood.
Blessings and love,
Betsy
Amen, it is enough! I have 16 kids, their spouses, and the grandkids, and my husband on my Christmas list. The total: 42. That is just immediate family, not friends or other relatives. I do love giving them gifts, but I am trying to think of things to make or do instead, or even just get them bags of local coffee, simplify things! The 15 grandkids have tons of toys, don't need anything, maybe I'll get them books. :)
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