With every year that passes, it seems to me that we rush more and more to push everything ahead a lot quicker than we used to, or than it needs to be! As the leaves start to turn their gorgeous autumn colors, suddenly stores start decorating their shelves with Christmas things, and this year it began even before Hallowe'en, for gosh sakes! Now I know the economy leaves a lot to be desired, but give us a break, people. One holiday at a time, please. Here it is now, still two weeks from Thanksgiving yet, and the mall and all the stores I have been in, are loaded down with, you guessed it, tons of all decorated and flashing and twinkling...Christmas trees! They are beautiful, and very expensive compared to what we paid for my lovely fake tree years ago, and which still looks pretty darn good. But the problem I have is that my spirit has just not kicked in yet. I am still planning my turkey dinner and making my own cranberry sauce for it, thank you very much.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so. Others have shared their concern about the early rush with me, and I would like to know why the stores are so eager. Is it because they figure the earlier they get it out there, the earlier we will jump at the chance to buy it all up? Hey, not so fast. The problem with that is twofold, or more. One, it means you have to have a great, safe hiding place all figured out, and more space than usual in it, for these early arrivals. Two, if you are even just a tad older, you may forget where your have hidden some of the smaller stuff, and find it later like in, oh, June, maybe? Yes, I am guilty of doing that, myself, so I know. There may be other reasons for not shopping while people are still wearing shorts and going without jackets, too, but for now the ones I mentioned will do. I just do not feel "Christmassie" yet, and that is that. I have about 500 or 600 catalogs arriving daily, slight exaggeration, which I look through for the lowest prices, and mail in my orders after the turkey is gone. My cards get written around the first of December, and mailed shortly after. I do not really like getting Christmas cards in late October or even in very early November. Relax, enjoy the fall weather before being so very on schedule! It is supposed to be a season of love and hope and joy, not rushing around, battling crowds and extra stress. Really, do try to relax more this year, and trust me, things will work out just fine.
So, enough about my thoughts on Christmas being pushed upon us too soon. I truly hope you all can take the time to look at the diamond-like stars sparkling in a pitch black sky once around the nights before the 24th. I pray you will be filled with the spirit of peace and joy that comes from the blessing of what Christmas is truly about, not the money and the gifts and the stress, but the miracle of the coming of a baby named Jesus, who came to earth to save us all. May God bless each and every one of you, and no matter what the politically correct try to do to stifle the great joy of it all, may I sincerely wish everyone of you.....Merry Christmas.