Here goes another "Mama Musings" post... :)  

I love Christmas.  But the truth is, I used to love it far more than I do today. 

Christmas is magical.  But as I have gotten older, I have realized a few things.  A LOT of people feel really sad, frustrated, and/or depressed around the holidays.  Holidays are tough.  Especially Christmas.  For many reasons.  Some because of loss... Some because of a never-ending to do list... Some because of unfulfilled expectations... Some because of reasons unknown... Some because of the frustration resulting from the not-knowing what is causing those feelings around the holidays.

I struggle with the Christmas season myself.  Fall is THE busiest time for photographers.  (It is like tax-season for Accountants.)  So in addition to the crazy busy work schedule demands, once you add in all of the craziness of the holidays, expectations, school projects, kid stuff, etc. - life just tends to go haywire around this time of year.  

I WANT to feel the joy, gratitude, and magic of Jesus being born... and what incredible things that means for the world and myself.  It is an incredible story.  (See the story from Luke 2 in the Bible at the bottom of this post.)  And I try really hard to keep that as *THE* focus.  Jesus really IS the reason for the season.  But even with that, there are SO many other "THINGS" that come along with Christmas.  Being far from my family, decorating the house, shopping for gifts for my kids, my husband, planning his birthday festivities, shopping for my nieces and nephews, organizing, planning, preparing, etc. etc. etc.  Being "Santa's helper" and all that involves. The list goes on and on and on, as we all know.  

My parents did such an amazing job of making Christmas magical for my two brothers and me back in small town Iowa.  We would have our Christmas Eve service at our Lutheran church around 6pm, and wait (im)patiently for my dad to QUIT TALKING to so many people (!!) after the service so we could get home and see what Santa had brought us.  (Somehow, my mom had driven "separately" that night, and we never knew where she went.)  And Yes, yes, we used to do Santa AND open presents on Christmas Eve.  It.was.awesome.  We used to think that Santa just started with our house first, and then went on his merry way around the world after that.  

In 2017, I tried, really really hard to "minimize" some of the crazy busy-ness in my life and make it a little more "unbusy."  And in some areas, I really did a good job of that and it felt amazing.  (Other areas are a work in progress.)  P.S. - If you're looking to do the same, be sure to follow the "Becoming UnBusy" Facebook page... I LOVE their posts.  So simple, and SO encouraging.  I have been "busy" as long as I can remember, and I'm just really, really tired of rushing around 100 miles an hour.  So, as I try to "minimize" my life (even just by a small percentage), Christmas season comes in and quadruples the To-dos, the "need to get dones," the errands that need to be run... And it takes my focus, energy,and money away from what I feel truly matters.  Jesus.  And my family.  And simplicity.  

We just got back from a fun (and a little crazy) road trip to New Mexico.  My husband got back to beloved ski slopes, and fulfilled a dream of his: Seeing our kids on skis for the first time.  Due to a few lingering injuries, I didn't ski, so I had a little time to myself.  One of the days, I was 10 feet from a man (at the ski resort) who fell over and had a heart attack right in front of me.  So many quick responders, talented staff, and an AED machine later, they got a pulse and got him to the hospital.  While it was all happening, I just sat there, head in hands, praying, praying, praying.  Praying for him.  Praying for his family.  Praying for the outcome.  It was hard to see, but I was thankful to see him somewhat responsive as they got him in the ambulance.  Just another reminder that life and every day we get is such a gift.  

As I'm typing this, my crazy kids are literally running in circles around my desk as they brush their teeth and scream.  And I'm done.  I need a break.  And yet I'm about to jump right into 2018.  (I love my children, but... IS IT TIME FOR SCHOOL TO BE BACK IN SESSION YET?!?)  I am so thankful for another incredible year... health for my family, great job success for my husband and myself, amazing friends and family, and lots of fun in between.  But I'm ready for a new year.  A new start.  A clean slate.  

I have even had the thought today while boxing up all of the Christmas decorations and unpacking from our trip... What if all I did next year is put up the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene (and nothing else), bought gifts for the 3 children in Africa that we help support, plan something fun for our family to experience together (vs. lots of gifts), and that.is.it.??  I'm just done.  Done buying, done organizing, done wrapping, done consuming, done planning.  Maybe if I just sit back and soak in the magic of the season a little more, the magic will come to life a bit more as it is meant to.  

I don't like to make New Year's Resolutions, because it's just one more thing I have to keep up with, manage, and/or feel bad about not being able to accomplish in the end.  But I do like to find the "word of the year."  This morning in my quiet time (early... before anyone wakes is when I have this much needed start to the day along with some coffee), I journaled, and called 2018 the "Year of Positivity."  I love the word "joy," but sometimes, no matter how hard I try, it isn't the first thing I automatically feel.  I just now took the "Word of the year quiz" (click here to find your word), and guess what... it was JOY.  ;)  So, here's to positivity AND joy in 2018.  

So my question is this...

What have you done to minimize the stress of the Christmas holiday in your life?  Or to add more joy to a stressful season?  I would love to know... love to share... love to learn.  

And now... for the reason behind the season... And what I try really hard never to overlook in the midst of the season.

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.