The Joy of Childhood

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:3

I was rushing around the house Sunday with a pen and paper in my hand. It was only one week fron Christmas eve. I had presents to buy, cookies to bake, meals to plan, clothes to sew… too much still left to do. I felt frazzeled. I was stressed. I was not enjoying Christmas.

My 7 year old stands at the calendar in the kitchen and counts the days until Christmas. She turns around and starts jumping up and down, calling for her sister and brother. “Its almost Christmas! Yay!” They yell and dance around the living room. And they start to recount my list- but happily!! What was happy about my mile long list of things to do in such a short time? I was really begining to get annoyed and I was about to cry.

My children are still dancing and yelling. They are so excited. I didn’t want to be stressed. I didn’t want to be annoyed. I wanted to be just as joyful and excited as they were. So, I joined in. Almost instantly, I felt those worries disappear. I started to remember the anticipation of Christmas when I was a child. The comfort of the traditions we have leading up tp the day of celebration for our Lord. The excitment of waking up on Christmas morning to see what Santa had left.

Suddenly the list didn’t seem to long. In fact, it seemed like I had too much time left. A whole week! How could I stand it?! I cranked the Christmas music up and turned on the oven. I wasn’t going to be stressed anymore. I am going remember the anticipation of my childhood and of my children. It’s almost Christmas!!

Discussion: Has the christmas rush stressed you out? What childhood memories can you recall to bring back some of the joy at this sometimes rushed time?