Gearing Up For The Holidays

So it is that time of year again: Christmas.

The time when we get out all the decorations for the house and tree. The time when we are going over the shopping lists looking at the gifts we have to buy and wondering how we are going to pay for it all.

Getting out recipes for the holiday treats - cookies, candies, and brownies that we will be baking for family and friends.

Some are making travel plans and others are getting ready for guests. Getting out suitcases or fresh sheets and pillow cases.

For me it is an amazing time of year - watching my two young boys learn about the meaning of Christmas and seeing their eager anticipation for the spectacular moment of Christmas morning when every little kids dreams come true - opening the celebratory gifts!

Of course being 4 1/2 they do not fully get the true meaning of Christmas - they know it has something to do with Jesus and they certainly do not understand why there are gifts but they do know the gifts are coming.

This year is fun also since they are getting the idea of a secret. They are privy to a few secrets and they like the whisper factor of it.

As a parent it is fascinating to me think back when I was a child and remember those feelings and then look at my own children and see them having the same feelings - the amazing excitement of it all; the eagerness for Christmas to be here; the sweetness that young children have about everything around them.

It has been exciting to see the simple joy in taking out the decorations. Seeing their fascination with each little ornament and watching as they help to decorate the house.

This year I know that may people have been hurt financially and that for many that will mean cutting back on the gift giving - I hope that they take the opportunity to either learn or teach about the true meaning of Christmas. That it really is a time to think of others and spend quality time with family and friends - gifts in hand or not.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!