I won't mince words - I LOVE CHRISTMAS! And I confess, that since my kids have been born, I love it all the more. I have constantly struggled though, with the reason for my love of Christmas. Of course, as a Christian, I love what Christmas means - the beginning of the fulfillment of the Gospel. It's a wonderful blessing and what a great thing to be reminded of that blessing each and every year. But, at the same point, I love Christmas in 2007. I confess that I struggle with materialism, and it is very easy to get caught up in all of the materialism at Christmas. In fact, I will readily confess, that on Friday morning, at 3:30 a.m., I was standing in line outside our local Kohl's, ready to get a "move-on" with our family's shopping. I accomplished about 90% of our family's shopping within the next 6 hours, arriving back home about 9:30 a.m. with very sore feet from standing in line at Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Is there something wrong with me here?
On top of that, one of the most exciting parts of Christmas, especially in the last few years since we've had kids, is to see their excitement when the tree is set up or when the switch is thrown on our outdoor lights. Now.... I'm not completely out of control, but I will confess that the job of lighting the house outside is a stressful one. I get so annoyed when I open up the Rubbermaid of lights that all worked perfectly last January to find 8 of our 12 strings blown out! What happened... and why does it always seem to happen to me?!?! Very frustrating and somewhat stressful (just ask my wife), but in the end, the joy and excitement is a wonderful reward.
An editorial I stumbled onto in the Post-Dispatch really put a good perspective on this -
So, here I stand on the verge of another Christmas. Ready to wish everyone "Merry Christmas", and not every let the phrase "Season's Greetings" pass my lips because of my faith. But at the same time, is my love for the holidays taking me from the Linus position to the Charlie Brown position? Is there a balance? Is it a balance that will be clear to my kids? Let's hope so!!
I'm trying to hold onto that real meaning of Christmas, but also trying to savor the fun and enjoyment our world offers at this time of year. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't know. Keeping the faith perspective is difficult, but essential.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
FOUND!!!
The above would imply I was lost, and although I wasn't "lost", I've been discovered by the exploding blogosphere that is the people that we know. Hence, even though I haven't really posted in almost a year, I've been tagged, and I guess, according to the rules, I need to divulge my deepest, darkest secrets! oh, Mona Lisa - you'll rue the day.....
Anyways, I'll do this, and then perhaps, I'll return to the living blogosphere and begin posting more often.
My 8:
1. I'm adopted. Some people knew, some people didn't. As more people that Julie and I know consider adoption for themselves, it's becoming a more well-known fact.
2. I'm a farm boy. That's right - Johnny B - Asst. DA comes from the farm. I'm a corn and soybeans kind of guy. (isn't it obvious)
3. I too possess hidden musical abilities - piano and clarinet.
4. While some people can wiggle their ears or their eyebrows, or do other stupid human tricks - I have the very important and worthwhile ability to say my alphabet backwards at a fast pace. Apparently, I was "blessed" with this ability at age 2.
5. This one's for the Dillard's - not really interested in Rudy, am considering a second look at Mitt, but really wish FRED would pull through!
6. For those of you who don't know, I met my loving wife on the internet!
7. Give me an 80's song - I'll give you the artist and lyrics - almost guaranteed.
8. Nothing melts my heart more than my girls telling me that they love going on one of our "Daddy-Daughter Dates"!
OK, I know I'm supposed to tag everyone else, but I'm sorry, there's about 6 degrees of blog separation, and pretty much everyone I know has already been tagged. Does it now surprise you that I'm never good at the "fwd:" e-mail thing?!?!
Now that I'm back, I'll try to do better to remain back. My blog will probably be quite different from my wife's. The gets the fun job of showing the "fam", while I ponder deep thoughts and wax extensively like any good lawyer would.
Anyways, I'll do this, and then perhaps, I'll return to the living blogosphere and begin posting more often.
My 8:
1. I'm adopted. Some people knew, some people didn't. As more people that Julie and I know consider adoption for themselves, it's becoming a more well-known fact.
2. I'm a farm boy. That's right - Johnny B - Asst. DA comes from the farm. I'm a corn and soybeans kind of guy. (isn't it obvious)
3. I too possess hidden musical abilities - piano and clarinet.
4. While some people can wiggle their ears or their eyebrows, or do other stupid human tricks - I have the very important and worthwhile ability to say my alphabet backwards at a fast pace. Apparently, I was "blessed" with this ability at age 2.
5. This one's for the Dillard's - not really interested in Rudy, am considering a second look at Mitt, but really wish FRED would pull through!
6. For those of you who don't know, I met my loving wife on the internet!
7. Give me an 80's song - I'll give you the artist and lyrics - almost guaranteed.
8. Nothing melts my heart more than my girls telling me that they love going on one of our "Daddy-Daughter Dates"!
OK, I know I'm supposed to tag everyone else, but I'm sorry, there's about 6 degrees of blog separation, and pretty much everyone I know has already been tagged. Does it now surprise you that I'm never good at the "fwd:" e-mail thing?!?!
Now that I'm back, I'll try to do better to remain back. My blog will probably be quite different from my wife's. The gets the fun job of showing the "fam", while I ponder deep thoughts and wax extensively like any good lawyer would.
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