I don't feel very celebratory this year. Maybe because it's still Advent. Also, Luke returned to Afghanistan today so I am feeling many different emotions - most of them unpleasant. However, he has work to do and those of us waiting for his safe return must also continue to live our lives.
Christmas decorating is not something I embrace. A lot of it has to do with trying to find a place to store all the things that need to be moved to accomodate the tree, wall hangings, stockings, candy dishes, candles, etc... And then when it's all over everything has to be cleaned up again - and it never seems to go back in the boxes the same way it came out. And don't even talk to me about stringing lights on a tree!
I bought a pre-lit tree last year. It is 7 feet tall. Even though it's pre-lit it's too much for me to deal with right now. So...I went out and bought a 4 foot pre-lit tree. Then I bought a few bags of tiny ornaments and some tree trimming candy canes and one box of tinsel. (I love that word - tinsel. Tinsel. Say it again!) It took me less than half an hour to set the whole thing up and I am so happy! Then I put out two of my Nativity sets (the expensive one and the one I made 27 years ago), lit my Advent candles and announced I was done. I can spend the rest of Advent praying, knitting scarves to give out at the food bank and maybe doing some baking.
I feel a bit better already.
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