What's it all about?

This year...this Christmas is going to be a bit different, I suppose. I'm so used to being by myself. I would work and I would save and know exactly what I'd be able to get people for Christmas. Not this year. So much has changed, and while Z and I are getting used to living off of one income, we also have a child now. I'm not complaining by any means about lack of money. We make things work. We don't want for anything. We have a house. We have food. We have gas and a car. We have fun. We make it work. The thing is....I am stressing about Christmas gifts and wondering how truly satisfied one would be with a homemade gift. I don't really know why I'm stressing about it this year because the past several years I have chose to give homemade gifts. To me, they mean so much more. Anyone can go out and buy something (well....most can. ha.), but not everyone can make something. And if they do make something, it won't be exactly like the thing I make. So every homemade gift is unique.

But the thing I do not like is that this is actually causing me to stress. Really? I'm sorry, but that's not what this season is about. I think we all too often get caught up in the buying and the hustle and bustle that we really forget what the true meaning of CHRISTmas is. I'm sorry, but it is not about Santa. It's not about some cute fat guy with a long beard squeezing himself down a chimney to put some gifts under a tree. Nope. It's also not about presents (giving or receiving). To me, this season is about love, hope, and joy. The love of a Savior. The hope that baby Jesus gives the world. And the joy we find in knowing He was born to save us. 

I don't want Layla to grow up thinking it's normal for her momma to get stressed this time of the year. Nope. I'd rather her think it's a time to have fun and enjoy family. A time to watch some Christmas movies, sing Christmas carols, dance in the living room, give to those we don't know, and to a time to love people. all people. 

Tomorrow instead of asking Layla to be satisfied in her jumper or in her high chair while I work on stockings or other projects, I'm going to play with Layla. We will make Christmas cookies. We will sing Christmas carols. We will paint some Christmas-y things. We will have fun. :-)