Friday, December 19, 2008

A Christmas Spirit Meme

My sister, Barb, tagged me for this meme, and I have about five minutes before I head out the door for a rain-filled day of final Christmas shopping.

Five things I love about Christmas:

#1 - Baking Cookies. I don't eat many of them, but I love, love to bake them. I've baked about ten different kinds, sending trays here and there. I do confess I had two pecan cups this morning for breakfast.

#2 - Devotions by Christmas tree light. I turn the tree lights on first thing in the morning, and leave them on all day long. It's the last thing I turn off at night, but I love grabbing that second cup of coffee, after DH leaves for work, and settling onto the sofa for devotions, with the tree lights twinkling away.

#3 - Unexpected giving . I love last minute opportunities to give to others, in unexpected ways. If only we'd keep our eyes open for them all year. In just a bit I'm headed out with Jeremy and Leslie and Landon for a morning of shopping for two families of kids who would not have Christmas otherwise. Apparently their circumstances just changed drastically and it's too late for Angeltree or anything else. Jeremy, through his contacts with his job at Aflac, found out about them and did a quick gathering of resources from people he knows, and we're going shopping - how absolutely fun is that?! Kids from 10 - 1 1/2, so there will be lots of baby dolls, trucks, blocks, puzzles, etc.

#4 - Driving through the neighborhood, seeing families out stringing lights on their houses and in their yards, trying not to get aggravated. I love nothing more than seeing a man fight a glob of tangled lights, it looks like a real, live Chevy Chase Christmas movie.

#5 - Crowds. I truly love shopping with all the last minute people, crowded into the mall or Walmart or the grocery store. There must be something about the energy level that draws me. So that's where I'm off to today, Walmart with all the other gazillion people, in cold, pouring rain, then I'll settle into my favorite coffee house to meet my three best girlfriends for a last cup of coffee for 2008.

There you go, that's what comes to mind, and if I could add one more it would be when everyone in our church passes the lit candles til we're all standing there holding one little candle, singing Silent Night with all the lights turned off, and seeing parents looking around, nervous that Little Billy is going to set his sister's hair on fire, and seeing Little Billy considering doing so!

Feel free to jump in if you'd like, I'm not one to tag specific people, but rather open it up to everyone.

4 comments:

Gretchen said...

Heck, I'll grab a cuppa and join in. AFter all...the kids have another snow day (3rd), so I need some time behind a closed office door. :)

Jen said...

Loved your list. I too love to see neighbors out decorating...that was a good one.

Barb said...

What fun, to shop for Christmas for a family that needs help so badly. How I would love to do that with you.

I can't wait to hear all about it.

xoxo

Unknown said...

That is a great list Bev. I comletely forgot to list the giving thing to those less fortunate. I always choose girls that need clothes because I don't get to buy girl things. I do pink, pink, and more pink.

Have a Merry Christmas.