The Spirit of Things

If you know me at all, you know that I love to plan a head especially when it comes to Christmas. I send out a family email in July so everyone knows who they have and I can start shopping. I love looking for the perfect gift, and getting it for a good deal. That is one of the reasons why I start early. Then I don't have all the worry about material things and can focus on the true meaning of the season, Christ's birth.
Well this year has been a little different for me. I didn't get the family email sent out until the end of August. It is now November and I only have 4 presents bought and 3 that I'm making are still not finished. There are some people I don't even know what to get them. I've been struggling with everything this year. Then a few weeks ago I really started to dread the upcoming season because I am so behind on everything. All I could think of was I'm not going to be ready.
That all changed yesterday. It was all kind of odd how it happened, but then again sometimes Heavenly Father helps us in ways we don't expect. I didn't feel good and I didn't have a whole lot of energy. I was glad that it was the day my mom takes my kids and gives them singing lessons (they're learning Christmas songs so we can go and sing them to the elderly in rest homes later in December) so I could get some much needed rest. After my kids left I had the thought to run some errands instead of taking a nap. They didn't take me that long and on the way home I decided to stop at my moms to listen and see how my kids were doing. While I was listening and waiting outside the door I noticed a book about Christmas, more specifically a Christ Centered Christmas. I took it and started reading. I loved what I was reading. It brought to my mind all of the things I already do to try and make the season more about Christ and less about Santa. I felt peace. Then I had remembered that I picked up a Nativity that had 12 pieces to it so I could do the 12 days of Christmas to a family in need. While reading the book I had ideas of how to do it, what to say each day with each different piece of the Nativity. There were some suggestions in the book of things you could do as a family to make the season even more special. I can now say that I am excited about the up coming season. I even got out my Thanksgiving decorations today. I was reminded that the spirit of things is much more important than the material things. And even if I'm a little behind I can still get into the true spirit of the season. I am so grateful for that tender mercy from my Heavenly Father. He truly does love us and watches out for us even when we haven't asked Him yet.