The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit sneaks up when we aren't looking.  In the pressure of normal day to day life, the added weight of the season can overwhelm.   Over the recent years, I've learned to avoid the tension so often imbuing this time of year by making a list (no pun intended, really) and shopping mainly on-line.  The Amazon list is my best friend, not only for myself but for others as well.  

So, while my dear pirate is decorating our Tennessee porch for the first time, I'm continuing my on-line shopping, cleaning the kitchen, emptying yet another box of art supplies, and preparing to donate a few more things to Hope on the Square.  It was as I pulled away that the Spirit of Christmas visited me.

Truth be told, no pressure here at all; that all lays on the shoulders of my pirate.  My seasonal barometer for holiday decorating has already sorted out what stays and what goes.  These two bins are a testament to what can't be used when one's home is now 1/2 the previous square footage we enjoyed.  We had garland galore and what didn't go on the porch was going to the donation box.  However . . .

I noticed that this year my daughter and her husband are going all out on Christmas decorating but she only wanted the garland.  I didn't feel comfortable donating these  bins to Hope on the Square.  I'm sure. as my pirate reads this, he will be rolling his eyes and not understanding at all.  To him, my love, I say - consider who is writing this and just let it go.  After all, I came up with a brilliant alternative and I know he will approve.

The Christmas Spirit was now sitting smack-dab on my right shoulder whispering an idea which was how I ended up pulling into the Centerville Police Department parking lot.  Surely, officers would like stuffed toys for their trunks to be used if the need arose.  Officer Lancaster was not only amenible to this idea, he had an office full of such items.  I wasn't the only one with a Spirit sitting on my shoulder.  

I drove away feeling so good and now, as I sit here recording this memory, I think about this year to come, this first Christmas approaching, and the Advent message of  hope, peace, joy, and love.  We Christians are in a time of waiting for the arrival of the Christ Child, seeking strength and renewal, trusting in God's faithfulness in times of darkness and difficulties. Father, in this season help me to look beyond any current problems I'm experiencing and show me the way to best reach out and help others through action and love.  Amen.