Countdown to Christmas

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? In the last few years we have really scaled back on Christmas. Three years ago Marc lost his job (twice within one year) and last year he suffered a setback when he became sick (thank goodness for disability insurance and a loving group of family and friends). This year we are a lot better off then we were a while back, but something has changed. The "kids" don't have a long list of "wants" and I have learned to simplify and not stress over the big stuff (like a perfectly decorated home, the perfect Christmas dinner, the perfect Christmas photo, or even the perfect gift). God gave the most perfect gift of all in the form of Jesus, and nothing we do can ever top that. I have so many things to be thankful for this holiday and those things that use to make me stress (especially when I look at the number of days left until Christmas Day) seem insignificant now. I even accept the fact that my wonderful hubby has yet to remove the plywood off of my front porch for a project yet undone, or the box filled with giveaway items for Samaritan House that has been there since early fall (she says with a smile on her face)!