Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

Tonight, Holly and I went to a Women's event at our church. It was called, "Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle." There were probably at least 200 women there. Everyone brought salads, and there were some ladies who showed us different ways to set a table for Christmas. They gave us all kinds of GREAT ideas.

Only problem: I am 100% sure those women never had boys. Because putting branches on the table? That's an eye-pokin' toy. Tying limbs onto the back of the chair? Light-saber. And real, live, lit candles? Girl, please. Have these women never heard of FIRE? All of the branches and bark and moss and PINE-CONES THAT HAVE BEEN BLEACHED IN...BLEACH...are just kindling.

And pine-cones can be thrown at your sister, too.

But everything was so pretty!

And then they had a lady come up and talk about wrapping presents. She used twine and rope and ribbon. She used boxes and bags and EMPTY PAINT CANS FROM SHERWIN-WILLIAMS. Who'da thought?

I'm just sayin' that by the time I ask my 4 kids, plus their husband, wife and significant others, what they want for Christmas...find it, buy it, hide it and then re-find it again the night before Christmas...they're lucky it has wrapping paper on it, and if the piece I cut actually covered the whole box.

Because haven't y'all been there? Where you thought you had cut enough wrapping paper for your gift, but then when you start to wrap it, the wrapping paper won't quuuuiiiiitttte come together...leaving a 1/4 inch space of BOX?

And, please don't tell me that I have to find a cardboard initial of everyone's first name at Hobby Lobby, cover it in glitter and use it as a "gift-tag" on their present. Not happenin'.

I have my own system. Each kid gets their own wrapping paper. It works out pretty well until you run out of paper on one kid and have to use another kid's paper...and then, on Christmas morning, your son wants to know why you bought him yellow Hunter boots...

We had a great speaker who did a little devo for everyone. She talked about keeping Christ in Christmas and it was really good. She used the word: CHRIST as an acrostic.

C-celebrate Him. She talked about the many ways to keep the focus on JESUS and His birth. From nativity scenes to explaining the story of the candy cane to talking about the stars and angels on the tree. Lots of opportunities to share about Jesus.

H-handle your finances. So many people rush around and buy this or that...without giving a thought to how they will pay for it after the holiday. She said that it's okay to have a list...but that we should pray over the gifts we give others. From our kids to our parents to our in-laws to our kids' teachers to our co-workers and friends...make it a matter of prayer. She said to set a budget and pray about how to spend your money.

R-remember those less fortunate or who are alone over the holidays. She told us to look beyond ourselves. Maybe your high schooler has a friend who doesn't come from a Christian family. Invite them to celebrate with you, and make sure they have a gift...even if it's just a gift-card or something. Maybe you know someone who has suffered a loss this year...job loss, loss of a spouse, child, parent, friend. Reach out to them in some way. Help at a food bank. Send someone a card or a note.

I-was be intentional. She said that keeping Christ is Christmas is not just going to happen naturally...because we are all stressed and we have lots to do and sometimes it's just easier to celebrate the way the world does. She advised us to start now and do some planning and be intentional about the way we decorate our home and the way we choose to spend our time over the holidays.

S-is for sloooooow dowwwwwn. Don't rush through everything  and miss what's important.

T-is for traditions. She talked about the importance of traditions with our families...how it gives our children a sense of continuity and belonging. It forges a bond between your family members and makes for lasting memories.

Simple reminders for this busy season.

"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11