It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

FINALLY, I got the lights on the tree. Of course, only every other set I plugged in actually worked. But, the lights are on, and look exactly like the tree I grew up with in the early 70's before my mom realized white lights were the way to go. I LOVE the BIG fat retro colored lights and how they were never hung exactly right. I just wish I had time to string popcorn with the kids so it could look like the trees I remember as a kid. With all the things going on in the Brown House right now with my job and finances, it was relaxing (that's a lie, but sounds good) to put up the lights and remember Christmas when I was a little girl. All that really mattered to me as a child, now that I look back, was the anticipation, the traditions, the knowing we would spend time with family and all the goodies my mom would bake (literally for weeks). I honestly believe that no matter all the things your children say they want or "have to have", they still crave and love what we all did as children - the magic of it all. I am making every effort (just like I do every year) to help them concentrate on the real reason we are celebrating CHRISTmas. They will get it one day, just like I did. The presents are nice, but the atmosphere that surrounds the whole event is the best. Let's all slow down this coming week and remember that it isn't about how much we spend or what our kids GET. It is all about the Christ-child and the amazing love God had for us to send Him to us here on earth so that we could know God. What an incredible thing to ponder on - we are given the opportunity to actually KNOW the God who created us. That astounds me.