Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas...the most wonderful time of the year!  Sometimes,  though, the "leading up to Christmas" can be very stressful.  Maybe that's why the Emergency Rooms this time of year are always full.  We can put so much pressure on ourselves.  Why do we do that?  We tried harder this year to not let that happen.   Although, Lamar has had a rough time of it.  On top of all the extra stuff that comes with being a mailman during Christmas (he had a record 120 packages to deliver on Monday...a record for his route!),  his shoulders are killing him.  30 years of carrying the mail, starting with 15 years on a walking route,  I'm afraid has taken it's toll.  So, he's at the start of figuring out exactly what he needs to do or not do to give him some relief.  Doctor appointments, physical therapy appointments and special exercises at home have begun.  Something, he wishes he did NOT have to deal with. 

The Christmas programs, and most parties have come and gone with all the excitement that goes along with them.  The rush of finding that perfect gift is past.  The hours in front of the stove are pretty much done too. 

 Now...it's time to REMEMBER why we celebrate this season.  As I'm sitting here looking at our Christmas tree, so bare after all the presents have been unwrapped, I feel  a peace.  Peace knowing that we have a God that loves us so much that He gave us a gift.  His Son...here to this complicated and stressful world, to save us.  Peace knowing that this same God wants us to be close to Him, to have a relationship with Him, to love Him back.  He is our peace and strength when we just can't do it on our own. 

As we all do our own traditional things today, I hope you have a chance to just sit down, look at your Christmas tree and feel that peace too!