Excess

It seems crazy that Christmas is in just two days! I know that is such a cliche, everyone is saying the very same thing right about now, but it feels like December whizzed by me. We were sick for the majority of the month, but besides that, there is something different this year.

Initially I did think it was because of the sickness being passed around my family. I thought I just wasn't in the spirit because I didn't feel 100% and then once I did, I was still dealing with multiple kids that didn't. It wasn't that though.

The desire to decorate was less this year; even the fervor with which I did decorate was less. I definitely didn't put as much out this year - the tree, a wreath, a few child-made decorations and of course the Nativity Scene. But for the most part, my boxes remained quite full of unused decorations and went back in the garage. It made me realize how excessive I have been in years past with decorating.

As the month passed, it seemed like the theme of excess kept coming up for me.

Too many plastic kids' cups, way more than we need or use. On any given day there would be 8-10 on the counter. It was driving me crazy! I had to get rid of many. I scaled back. Kept only what we needed.

Too many toys upstairs. It had been several weeks since the playroom was completely picked up so I took on the challenge...only to realize how much stuff my children have. Way too much stuff. Broken stuff, mismatched stuff, untouched stuff. An excessive amount of toys. I filled two trash bags full to give away. There are so many children who have nothing. We have toys in excess over here!

Too many clothes. Laundry piled up while we were sick and it made me realize just how many clothes my daughters have. We have been so blessed by hand-me-downs from friends, but I'd also saved Gracie's old clothes and of course once in awhile Grandmas love to get girly outfits. But they don't wear it all. Not all of it even fits them anymore. There were items that didn't match a single thing. Not even enough hangers to hang it all up at one time. Excessive amounts of clothes. I sorted through it all, kept only things that made outfits and now have five trash bags full of clothes to pass along. And to think there are children that wear the same outfit everyday of the week.

And now Christmas in two days. My husband and I have been convicted about keeping Christmas simple this year. We set a spending amount for each child this year, much lower than ever before. We explained the legend of Santa Claus to our children and compared him St. Nicholas who loved Jesus and gave with a generous heart to those less fortunate. We read and talked a lot about the birth of Jesus, the true reason to celebrate.

But ads and emails and commercials and mailers abound. Everywhere I turn I encountered the pressure of Christmas. It feels excessive to me. I think back to years past and recognize how overwhelming it was; how easy it was to get sucked into the busyness and madness of it all!

We are so blessed and grateful by all that we have and the opportunities available to us. Looking back over the last few weeks I am truly thankful that my entire family was sick not once, but twice, because it really slowed us down for a few weeks. It gave me a chance (us a chance) to bask in the true meaning of Christmas and to draw closer as a family.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means God with us." Matthew 1:23

"...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11