Before Christmas I vented about feeling nuts and pressured in regards to everyone's idea of and expecation for being READY for Christmas. At the time, I was anticipating going to Confession. Due to sick children and a snowstorm, however, I missed the opportunity. I was pretty worried that I'd missed out altogether, but thankfully I was able to find another parish in the area that was offering the Sacrament several evenings the week before Christmas.
So the next day, I still had 90% of my shopping left to do and everything else was still the same, too, but I set out that evening. I left the children at home with their father and went straight to the church to be sure I wouldn't miss out again.
I was so ready and so thankful for the opportunity, and praise to God and his mercy, I was able to have a wonderful Confession and a nice time of reflection and prayer afterward. Then when I went to leave, I walked out the door and down the steps to my car to begin the shopping. All of a sudden, right in that moment, I was struck. It hit me, "Now I'm ready. Now I am ready for Christmas."
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Amen! That's how I felt when, the night before Maria was born, Jeremy and I went to church at 9:00, I went to confession, and we celebrated Mass at 10 p.m. (Newman center, on campus) Add that to the reception of the Anointing of the Sick a few days earlier, and I have never felt so prepared to deliver a baby!
ReplyDeleteTis' the holiday season...let's make Christmas about what it's suppose to be about. I know your family does already and we strive to be more devote everyday. It's great to have such a great friend/family so close to home.
ReplyDeleteJust a side note, to make the holidays less stressful on me for next year, I'm planning on making things throughout the year so I have all of my homemade gifts accomplished ahead of time. I always say I will do this, but I never follow through with it so here's to following through with things.