Christmas is coming

The cards are made ready for writing; presents are bought, wrapped and ready for giving.  Different food items are appearing in my kitchen - dates in their long clear plastic boxes and mince pies in red tins, freshly baked.

"When shall I put the tree up?" swishes through the canals of my brain on a daily basis.  I always think two or three weeks is long enough.  You see it's all about dust.  It seems more noticeable at this time of year now that its cold and I spend more time indoors.  It's the frosty bright sunshine that does it - beaming in through the windows that need cleaning yet again, casting its rays around my lounge and highlighting the dust that I only wiped away the day before.  If I put the tree up now the baubles will need dusting too!  Oh my, I must be getting old!

I sometimes think I have lost my Christmas sparkle.  I love Christmas but after 60+ other Christmas's, it becomes a bit 'samey'.  And yet it is that sameness that is so lovely.  I've tried the going away at Christmas, I tried the Christmas Day meal out, I've been ill at Christmas and I've celebrated with friends and family.  I think - 'next year I'll do something different', but then the following October comes around I haven't planned ahead and so the days towards Christmas start to speed up and, other than be organised with cards and presents, I've not left time to plan anything different.

I don't worry about Christmas though.  Some people get so stressed.  I avoid the shops and supermarkets as much as possible each December.  I let everyone else queue up at tills and fight over car parking spaces.  Everything always gets done, everyone gets what they want and more, and stuff they don't really want too!  Its fun opening present whilst still in pyjamas and fluffy dressing gown next to a glowing fire and twinkling lights.

Then the News on tv shows refugees, war torn countries and people suffering in far off places and my life feels indulgent and privileged, not ordinary at all.  My floater coffee and chocolates for breakfast which warms and comforts me is luxurious whilst somewhere in the world another child dies from malnutrition or gunfire.  Am I supposed to ignore it?  It's hard.  It's a crazy world we live in. 

So my thoughts and prayers continue to plead for PEACE and GOODWILL towards all.  I do my bit and hope that the little giving, praying and sharing that I do helps not only those near and dear to me but all those I will never meet. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy season of Advent, may Christmas Angels surround you and keep you safe, warm, healthy and happy.