Christmas Rush

Are any of you feeling the Christmas crunch?

Well, I am...mostly because of our children's schedule this year.
They are privileged to be apart of a very spectacular Christmas program put on by the church where they attend Missionettes.
It's quite the deal...adult choir, teen choir, live orchestra...we're talking big, here, folks!

Tonight marked a 3 hour rehearsal for them...then tomorrow is "dress rehearsal" and Friday is the first of ten...yes, you heard right!...ten performances! Five this weekend and five next weekend!

Are you beginning to feel just a bit winded just reading this?

I guess I didn't realize how many performances were involved...but yet, they love being a part of it all! The leaders are incredible and it's been so rewarding for them since my oldest joined last year.

But it is going to be a challenge to find time to all go to the tree farm together and cut down our perfect Christmas tree. At least, in the daylight!
But somehow, we'll figure it out...

I think I understand how easy it is for families- especially we moms- to allow stress and demands take their toll on us at Christmastime.
So much to do...
the home has to be perfectly decorated...must attend parties...send out those Christmas cards...buy and make gifts...wrap, wrap, wrap...
And somehow, in the midst of it all, we need to teach our children about the real meaning of Christmas.

So...what do we do?

I think that just as so many of us cut back on spending when there's a financial recession...when we start to feel overwhelmed, we need to start cutting back on activity.
For example...sure, I've written a Christmas newsletter every year for ages...but would the world stop if I skipped a year?

Don't you think that too often, the demands we face are sometimes put there by ourselves?
At least I know that's true of me.
Sometimes, we just have to let some expectations and activities go...and know that it's better to make simple memories with our families, rather than hurrying this way and that.

But all of this said, I'm not sorry we've committed to our children being in the choir. I believe it was the right thing for them...they love it, and in fact- although I won't be sitting through the show ten whole times, I am looking forward to seeing it at least once because I know it's going to be spectacular!

But since we do have this rather heavy commitment, I need to remind myself to relax my other commitments when possible...and to relax in general!
To give our family plenty of "down time" when there is no agenda at all.

And I'm going to really try not worry about the little things. Like getting our tree.
Because when I stress the details, I lose focus on why we're even putting up a Christmas tree and decorating our home...which is to celebrate God's love for us in His sending Jesus.

So, today I'm going to just trust Him that all the little things will come....the tree, the decorations, and perhaps even the newsletter... maybe.
But most of all, I want to keep my focus on the One we're celebrating and take time to enjoy the simple joys of this season.

What about you...do you sometimes have to find ways to try to slow down at Christmastime?

*Edited to say that I can't believe how many little typing mistakes I found and corrected just now...must have been all that stress I was writing about! :)