during this busy time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the tasks that we feel must be done. the decorating, the cooking, the gift-buying and wrapping, and the preparations for christmas guests can consume us so that we don't take the time to appreciate the season's magical qualities. i hear people saying in voices filled with frustration that they don't know how they'll ever get everything done.
i must admit to feeling a little of this pre-christmas anxiety. i haven't wrapped any of the presents i'm giving my wife, and i'm not sure when i'm going to take care of that chore. my wife and i spent some time yesterday figuring out when to cook each dish we need to have ready for our guests when they come next weekend. we want to have as much as possible done in advance so that we can spend time with them rather than in the kitchen. we hope our prior planning will make life easier for us and give us a more relaxing christmas weekend.
perhaps this is a part of being mindful: to stop and think through how to accomplish what is needed, thus developing a plan to help us avoid a last minute panic. i can remember years when christmas arrived and i was too exhausted with preparing for it that i couldn't enjoy it. when i talked with my sister on the phone yesterday, she reminded me of how tired our mother often was at christmas because of all the work she had to do leading up to it. as the rest of the family celebrated together, she was busy in the kitchen. when she finally was able to sit down, she had no energy left to enjoy what should have been a festive season for her as well.
may we remember to take time for reflection. may we see what the purpose of all the preparation is rather than being so caught up in the process. may we simplify our lives when we can and think of ways to give ourselves time to just be in the moment. may busyness not become a goal itself. may we enjoy all that this season offers us. shalom.
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