Are you ready for the big day?
No?
I’m not either, but I’ve found over the years whether I’m ready or not, it still comes, and that’s a good thing.
I’ve given up on making every cookie, every bar, here’s a link to my gluten and dairy free lemon squares. Instead, I’ve learned, after four kids and over twenty years of marriage, to do only what I truly enjoy during this season of light. We usually make sugar cookies–the second recipe on the Gluten Free Mom’s blog–and sometimes, I buy the icing, and other years, Diva makes it. Either way is a-okay.
Advent musts for me are:
Attending my church which challenges and soothes my soul; and
Listening to carols, Advent ones mostly, all full of longing for the Christ Child and the Messiah who will come again. My favorites are: People Look East, O Come, O Come Emmanuel–which I’ve written of before, Lo, How a Rose ‘Er Blooming–maybe because it talks of a rose which blooms in “cold, midwinter.” I also love The Angel Gabriel Came. The last two are about the amazing fact that a Hebrew girl said yes to God when an angel gave her the startling news she would bear a son. I’m always amused by the story of the Annunciation–the moment when the Angel Gabriel told Mary she was blessed and so favored–because Mary is so young and brave and all about practicalities.
Instead of freaking like I would have at fifteen if told such, Mary is merely somewhat disturbed and asks the angel how this can be, “Since I have not known man.”
Now, there is a practical girl anyone would be proud to call mother, even the Son of God.
If you’re still reading these musings, and I haven’t completely lost you, I have a funny story to tell.
Last night, I got out the manger scenes. We have two. I got everything ready, the beautiful, dark, green velvet and the sheer fabric we place on the piano. The rusty stars were placed on the sofa table in preparation for the other set. The two nativities were in the same box so it was only as I placed the figures of the ceramic nativity, that I stood there befuddled. I turned to my youngest daughter, the one we call Bear, who is twelve and said,
“Two of the wise men are missing.”
In my twenties, I would have torn apart the house looking for those wise men, and made my family miserable in the process. Instead, this time I shrugged and said,
“I guess they got lost on the road.”
Without missing a beat, Bear said, “Well, they have until Epiphany to find their way.”
I had to laugh. Let’s hope those two wise men find their way to the Christ Child because if they don’t, I can’t help them. Yes, I shop for gifts and put up the tree, but I also try to hold in my heart that young girl who said yes. In awe of her answer, I can’t be stressed about Christmas anymore. Whether the wise men find their way to the piano makes no difference really. The true wise men did. May we all take joy in the little things and find our way this Christmas too.
merry christmas, dee. i always like to read your take on things; this post was a christmas eve treat.
Oh, wanted to tell you that I bought, at Walmart, of all places, a gluten free cookbook! Can you imagine– Walmart, in their book section. We’ve come a long way, baby. It is billed as ‘easy’ gluten-free recipes. No author named.
We are on the same wavelength. I’m learning just to let things be, and to buy a lot more gf food. Thanks for the tip about Katz bakery. Ordered 4 apple pies on their sale. I sure miss you. Loved seeing your home pics.
xxxooo
CurtissAnn
Hey!
I just noticed that you have glutenfreeeasily on your sidebar. I love Shirley! She is so funny and she has the best recipes!
Do you have your lemon bar recipe here as a link and I missed it?
Oh, and I read on someone’s blog…. Hope you have a MARY Christmas (instead of a Martha one) and any woman alive knows what this means!
Kay
Your calm is spread all through this post. It was a delight to read in this hectic time of year. Calm makes life so much more enjoyable. Your wise men remind me of my missing soup bowls. Yep, they are in this house someplace. They will turn up…in July no doubt. ha… I have other bowls. I am blessed.
Such good advice Dee…I hope I can keep it in mind the next few days. I hope those wise men turn up before long!
Merry Christmas!
Lea
In so many of our activities, we need to focus on the essence of it, and not worry about the rest. Good advice for all mothers at any time of the year. Merry Christmas to you, Dee!
A delightful post. I am glad to have stopped by, thanks.
Lovely Dee…making Christmas special and stress-less is so important…love your manager scenes….
Love it!! If you haven’t ever heard Breath of Heaven sang, you should find it on youtube and listen!! It is one of my favorite Christmas songs. .My favorite line is when it speaks about Mary wondering whether another woman would have made a better choice. I have imagined so many times what she must have really thought. .and how scary the whole thing sounded to her!! Yet she was so obedient and you are right. .BRAVE!! Thankfully! Merry Christmas. .and I hope your wise men make it!
Dee- such a blessing! May the God’s richest blessings be yours this Christmas!
What a lovely and meaningful post about the season, dear Dee. You are the wisest of them all!
Ah, thank you for the share so festive and welcoming