Sunday, December 13, 2009

"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?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Julie Hibbard for sharing.Wish you a joyful Merry Christmas in advance.

Cheers!!
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Zuzana said...

I agree with you, there is so much of the real meaning to Christmas that is lost these days in the crazy commercialism. Yes indeed, it is all about enjoying the season.;)
xo

PETE Di LALLO said...

No one will ever be a good as you are when it comes to planning ahead...so nice going, again...

if I had to brag about the season I could say how happy I am to have hung our outside lights yesterday, we did 90% of our Christmas shopping, we saw Santa
but did not take photos...Sunny was with us and said:"Are you kidding?"...I think last year with you may be the last Santa Photo...
Inside tree is up and gorgeous...inside decor is great...
watched It's a Wonderful Life (with Sunny who didn't care for it), and a TV special called "Hey Virginia"...
I have one more gift t o give a special person in my life and then I will start enjoying the Christmas
season...