by Joanne Wiklund
About this time in December, I tend to panic. Nothing is completely done. My gift list, my house chore list, my decorating list. Sure I planned. I always plan. But planning takes time, and usually involves yarn while I sit and think about what I’ve accomplished so far. That’s why the countdown, two weeks prior, gets me every year. So I’ve given up on the countdown and my plan as usual. I remember Mom saying: Christmas will come whether you’re ready or not!
Christmas comes in little surprises, big whopping exciting ideas, or most of all, when the tree is done, the lights are lit, and memories come rolling in. Turn out the room lights, sit and look at the tree, and pray a prayer of Thanksgiving. Remember I told you we could combine these two holidays? Thanksgiving and Christmas? I had a child tell me when we stood looking at a tall, gorgeously decorated Christmas tree, Gee, Joanne, I bet you’ve seen lots of Christmas trees. While it didn’t do much for my ego, it did remind me to be thankful for all those other trees through the years. All those people who were there with me. God is good. Go with the memories. Give from your heart. Spread the love around. Onward!
Matthew 14:17 “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple and he healed them. 15. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased. 16. And they said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city unto Bethany; and he lodged there.”