"Are you ready for Christmas?"

Please don't ever ask anyone this question.
Never ever. Ever!
What does that mean anyway? Is your shopping done? Your tree up? Your cards out?
Yes, of course, I am ready for Christmas. I am the classic organized, plan ahead, get everything done in a timely manner, it's wrapped, baked, hung and sent type of person!
Always have been actually. Always have had my shopping completed, cards finished, decorations up, as well as 20 or so loaves of freshly baked bread ready for gift-giving...all before December 1st. Always. That's the goal, right?
Nope...that's not really what it's all about.
It's really not.
How about we stop asking if we are ready for Christmas and, instead, begin to ask each other something far more important? I think, "Are you enjoying the season?" is a much better question.
So...are you? Are you enjoying the most wonderful time of the year?
Have you gone to a Christmas program or two?
Have you set aside a few hours to bake some gingerbread men and a pumpkin pie?
Have you sung Christmas Carols at the top of your lungs?
Have you gone to the mall to see the six foot soldiers and take pictures with Santa?
Have you walked around your neighborhood to take in the JOY of the Christmas lights?
Have you had a glass of eggnog with just a sprinkle of nutmeg on top?
Have you watched, "It's A Wonderful Life", "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Charlie Brown's Christmas"? How about, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"?
Have you made a breakfast date with an old friend? Sat in front of the fireplace with a good book? Have you taken a little time for solitude and reflection?
May I suggest you put on a little Sinatra Christmas, sit down with a good cup of tea, a maple cookie or two and take it all in?! Smile and sing and surrender to the joy of Christmas time!
With no disrespect to Linus, "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown!"
And please don't ask me--or anyone else!-- if we're ready for Christmas.
Ask me if I'm eating something warm and delicious. Ask me if I've watched "Home Alone" or "Christmas Vacation" yet this season. Ask me if I'm singing or baking or dancing! Ask me if I'm full of joy. Ask me if I'm enjoying the season.
And I will tell you, YES! I am.
I really am.
Are you ready for that?