Love/Hate

I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas.

I hate that we as a society have commercialized something so special as the arrival of God's one and only son sent to save his people.

I hate that mega-chain department/wholesale stores start decorating, play Christmas music, run special marketing campaigns, and put out those gift sets right after Halloween and before Thanksgiving.

I hate that we spend so much time rushing around here and there trying to get our shopping or other tasks accomplished.

I hate that we fill up the season with parties, caroling, addressing cards, and decorating.

I hate that people are so rude, crass, and impatient with one another.

I hate that my husband works more hours during the Christmas season than at any other time in the year and that we have even less time to spend together as a family.

I hate that we focus more on what gifts we're giving instead of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned.

Most of all I hate that during this season I grieve more for my parents as Christmas was the most important time of year for my family.



I love the smells in the air, smells of cakes, cookies, candies that we bake.

I love deciding what colors I'm going to decorate for the season, the actual decorating, and wrapping of the presents in paper to co-ordinate with my colors.

I love all types of Christmas music and start playing it right after Thanksgiving. Music gets me in the Christmas spirit better and faster than anything.

I love singing all the hymns and popular music to the top of my lungs.

I love pulling out my Christmas music and practicing on the piano.

I love how beautiful our church looks during the season and I love how we all work together to make it so.

I love our special church services. The Epiphany service and our Hanging of the Greens are the opening and closing of the season and it wouldn't be Christmas without them.

I love that our family gathers together to celebrate our long held traditions.

I love surprising my husband with gifts that he never expected.

I love the looks on my children's faces on Christmas morning. Nothing can compare to their looks of surprise and wonder.

I love that there's a spirit of peace and goodwill in the air, I only wish that it could last the year through.

Most of all, I love the Baby Jesus and what his coming to earth means for me and the entire human race.