I am exhausted…but in practically the best possible way.
It’s Christmas Day here at the Hornsby House, and our major festivities for Christmas, 2024 are past. As this article begins, I am sitting in view of the Christmas tree enjoying my coffee and getting ready to read my Christmas devotional that I have been reading this month of December. My goal is to savor the season and the reason for it. This particular season, I have seen new patterns, old habits that die hard, new(er) traditions mixed with old, and Christmas miracles.
Having our family Thanksgiving early, I thought I would decorate for Christmas early, having a chance to savor the season even more-so; but time marched on and my decorations weren’t up much (if any) earlier than usual. With the first Christmas season at the shop, and actually working outside the home for the first Christmas season after a couple years without, has been cause for a little (more) adjustment.
I have been thrilled with my Christmas at the shop. It actually has been a dream come true…decorating, and visiting with folks who came to do some of their Christmas shopping, sharing some of their traditions and plans with me. (I could almost tear up with thanksgiving…as I have already along this new journey.). Having said that, I will say that it did require time to be present and work on it. Overall, however, it did not take a ton of extra time outside the hours open.
As for home, from year to year, I will sometimes vary the decorating at the house…trying to simplify in some ways without compromising the joy that comes with the decorations I choose. This year, was no different, except for the fact that I went the extra mile in other ways…decorating our (fairly) newly (mostly-) finished game/nostalgia room. And, Steve had the idea to have the outside of our house decorated with lights—many more than usual! I did do the decorating (mostly) in a new fashion with a desire that has been around a while…
• Decorate to a (semi-)stopping point.
• Enjoy what I have up, even if I don’t get to do any more.
• Decorate more if I had the time AND desire.
• Decorate less in some cases.
• Decorate more in other spaces that I chose and wanted to.
• I sat out Christmas dishes in preparation for Christmas Eve but enjoyed looking at them in the wait.
• I pulled out my Christmas mugs as one of the first things, to enjoy my morning coffee in a festive manner.
• I decorated my coffee center with words…even more than usual(!!):
-“IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS”
-“tidings of Comfort & Joy”
-“EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY”. [It is a coffee center, after all.]
-“Have a cup of cheer.”
-“Home FOR THE holidays”
-“Merry”
-“Joy”
-“Jolly”
-“Fa la la la la”
-“let us ADORE HIM”
-“Believe”
…to name a few! Some are on signs. Some I wrote on the chalkboard that has hooks for my mugs, and some are on mugs. Regardless, the message is the same. There is joy in the season. Sometimes, and in certain seasons, we may have to look for it. In some seasons, it may almost feel like we are fighting for it. But, always remember Joy can be found.
I am a natural reflector. In college we had to write reflections about our lessons…what we might have done differently, or better; and what we liked. It was second nature for me. So this Christmas morning, I already voiced an idea for next year’s White Elephant gift—at least in part (reflecting on this year’s game)!! I have also reflected (and prayed about) basically where I fell short, got stressed and a little snippy, and what I need to do diffidently. (I have apologized and asked for forgiveness for that.) I don’t have the final conclusion yet, but I trust God will help me to see, and teach me where I need to mark up. I always want to be walking forward; learning, and allowing Him to teach me from my failures. I don’t like when that happens, but I am so thankful for His mercy and faithfulness…which has been above and beyond amazing to me!
This month I have had the privilege of…
• Wearing red and green…more than ever before!! [Love—Love]
• Sending Christmas cards to friends and family far and near…from Ohio to West Virginia, to Florida, to Georgia, to Texas, to Maine, to South Carolina. [I am so thankful.]
• Enjoying my decorations.
• Finding special gifts for special people.
• Enjoying good food.
• Visiting.
• Having wonderful family time.
• Witnessing answered prayers and walking miracles!!!
• Enjoying the silence, and the presence of Jesus.
• Reading The Word of God and hearing the Christmas story proclaimed…words written about Jesus, the reason behind our celebrations, and the root of our love for one another…and the Joy of the season.
The joy of the season can be suppressed by sickness or sadness, grief or fear; but if we take a step away and breathe in the true meaning of the season, there can be an underlying joy in the midst of the pain. It isn’t always easy in the midst of the flurry of activity, or the circumstances that exist, but it is possible. (“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 KJV —Never give up!) And, if you are in a season of full-on celebrating as I have been, The Joy of the season is still found in Jesus first and foremost. He is the reason that my celebrations are possible! He is the reason I have joy. He -IS- The Joy in my heart. Can I still get a little overzealous and falter, and need reminded? Sadly, yes…but my hope, my answers, and my joy is found in Him.
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Luke 2:10 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.2.10.ESV
So the exhaustion I mentioned earlier…well, yes it is from jogging a bit of a marathon this month in a sense. Of course, I want to always improve in this journey of life and Christmas…savoring moments and living in the present as I forge forward; strolling more than running; but if I’m going to run a marathon, then I can’t think of a better reason as I sit here and reflect, recover, rest, and refresh. My heart is full.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.9.6.ESV
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:10-11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.2.10-11.ESV
•Merry Christmas, 2024•
~Jackie
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 