For weeks I've been sad, trying to not be dragged down totally, by major illnesses of two people close to me. Their sicknesses have been prolonged and I've done lots of visiting in hospitals. I decided that I really was not in the mood to celebrate Christmas this year. In fact, both of the people probably won't be home in time for Christmas.
My plans were that I wouldn't send any Christmas cards. In addition, I just didn't have the spiritual energy to get out the colorful, festive, familiar decorations I delight in every year. They wouldn't see them - why bother? No cookies would be baked; the sick people probably wouldn't be able to eat them. And I just didn't want to think of snatching time to even think of buying Christmas presents.
With the coming of Advent, the four-week period during which many Christian churches anticipate the birth of Jesus, I thought last Friday, that I should pray and think about the season. What should I do to get ready for Christmas? What do I want to do to get ready? Then it dawned on me just how 'down' my mood was. Time for action!
Generally, I'm the most positive person you'll ever meet. I've been accused of looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, in other words, not even seeing the 'bad' in the world. I prefer to think of myself as a realist: yes, there is a lot of evil in the world but there is also much good in people. I prefer to look for the good. Sometimes I have to look for a while, but it is always there.
I made a vow to plan my Advent to get my heart and soul ready for Christmas! Today, I retrieved my outdoor Nativity figures of Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph, and the three Wise Men, and put them on my front porch (Praise you, Lord, for the warmer weather today!). I located my Christmas cards - I always purchase them after Christmas when they're on sale - in preparation for actually sending them. From the attic, I brought down the two boxes of the ceramic Nativity Set I made several years ago, with plans to arrange them on my piano top tomorrow.
My heart is no longer heavy! I feel a joy to be able to get ready now. Yes, my sick folks really are slowly improving. I will ready my house and my heart for Jesus' coming. Praise you, Lord! I feel much better today!
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