Waiting and Joy Amidst Chaos
Seasons greetings to all our friends and visitors,
During this season we are faced with so many extra choices, get togethers, special events and charities to participate in and it can seem overwhelming. It's a busy time of year and I am thankful for all the opportunities that arise from preparing for these celebrations. My favorite celebration has always been Advent, but I've always missed the point.
When I think of Advent, anticipation and chocolate from those little cardboard countdown calendars comes to mind. The hustle and bustle of busy stores, long checkout lines and a bit of stress trying to think of the best gifts to celebrate in the name of the holiday. The stuff and clutter that becomes decorating traditions because I couldn't possibly celebrate the season without fake greenery on my mantlepiece or the small ceramic lighted village on my bookcase. Over the years I've collected more ornaments than my tree has branches; this overwhelming accumulation of Christmas debris is familiar to most all of us. The sales get me every year, and I can't help but think of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch, where I have to put myself in my place and remember that Christmas will come and be celebrated with or without the fanfare, presents and lights.
The press for a “perfect Christmas” came from having children. The anticipation and the magic in their eyes on Christmas morning. The joy of the gifts they exchange and enjoy as celebrations wear on over the winter break from school. The iced cookies and hot chocolates that become a daily indulgence. But Advent and Christmas celebrating should be like building a snowman, you only need a little snow which falls in Minnesota whether we like it or not. You can make one out of seemingly nothing and it becomes its own magic, just as the season should.
We are preparing to meet our sixth child closer to Christmas, so the pressure is on to set up for yet another Christmas far in advance, but have found my want for less increasing with my anticipation of the big day arriving; both the birth of Christ and my own small addition to our family. Unfortunately the opposite is happening in practice and the wishlists are ever changing. On top of all the Christmas preparations and the long impatient Advent wait are December birthdays of which there will be a solid half of our household celebrating with cake and yet more gifts leading up to the special day Jesus was born, (That's four of the eight of us if you're keeping count,) which only adds to the chaos and demand for preparation and planning during a time that should be treasured and reflected upon fondly. Honestly, by the time December 25th arrives I've not an ounce of energy left to be joyous and merry.
This year, however, I’ve been reflecting more on the call to be a mother. It's an often overlooked position filled with judgment from strangers often filled with unsolicited advice on how to handle situations these strangers have never experienced. As mothers, we smile and find a way through the challenges and are abundantly thankful for the opportunity we have been blessed with. We wipe the runny noses with our own sleeves when caught without a tissue, we bathe our children just for them to run right back into the mud puddles, we reluctantly read that one book again at bedtime despite how exhausted we are. Just like in Advent, we focus on hope, then peace, followed by joy and finally love, which we as parents want for not only for our children but others who surround us. Although being a mother is full of frustrations, and I’m particularly prone to focus on the setbacks, this season and all its preparations has brought together the joy waiting has to offer.
We are all truly blessed.
With great anticipation, Merry Christmas,
Jaclyn Walters