It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, right?

Are you going crazy already with all of the lists of who's getting what, what you still need to find, who you need to figure out what to get, what you still need to wrap, and when you are getting together with which family and friends? It gets so overwhelming trying to keep track of it all, and inevitably you forget that you planned the party with Aunt Fran on the same night as the one with Cousin Joe from the other side of the family. And the present you bought for your sister you accidentally give to your daughter's teacher, and you can't give the other one to your sister. Doesn't seem like the most wonderful time of the year, does it?

I decided a few years ago that I needed to be done with all of that by Dec. 1st, so that I can actually enjoy the month of December. I start in September making the list, figuring out what everyone needs/wants, and setting a budget and plan for the next 3 months. Three months later, it is Dec. 3rd, and all of the presents are wrapped and under the tree, the house is decorated, the Dec. schedule is set (with flexibility for changes of course), and the cards are sent. A little anal retentive, I know.

But to be honest, it is my way of committing the month of December to the Lord. Not that every month isn't His, but I really want December to be about Jesus' birthday. Family is important, fun times are great, but putting Him 1st is more important than any of it. I know myself well enough to know that I can not put Him 1st if I'm focused on people, buying for them, pleasing them, cooking for them...instead. There's nothing wrong with pleasing people, but if it comes at the expense of my Savior and Best Friend then it is wrong and not pleasing to God.

Let's commit to making this CHRISTmas be about CHRIST, shall we? Then it really will be the most wonderful time of the year.