Treasuring and Pondering

Like all Mom's, Christmas is a busy time where we have our regularly scheduled events with the addition of creating magic. I love, love, love Christmas. I almost love the time before Christmas more than Christmas itself. I love giving gifts. I love thinking about the person and putting meaning into the gift. I recently talked about "layering" gifts with someone, where thought goes into the details of the gifts I give. I love making gifts and saying sweet prayers and thinking positive thoughts about the person who will receive the gift. I love wondering how they will use the gift and what they think upon opening.

So, for me to be behind in gift creation leaves me in a place of enjoyment, excitement, and good stress. I am in great shape in completing this and this for my niece at Eric's family's Christmas this coming Saturday. All hat pieces are created and just need to be attached and I have to finish the last 1/3 of the scarf. Of course that is the part that requires me to follow the chart for cow patches, but the end is in sight. I just have to decide if I will make the udder border or just a fringe end. My niece is artsy, 18, and wants the cow. I am thinking udders. I shall see.

Then, I need to figure out how to knit on double pointed needles, start and finish this project as it is quite desired by my little boy. Which means I must make it when his eyeballs are not near me. That means when he is in school on my days off (when I should be doing other things) or when I should be asleep. Then, that is it for handmade gifts. Simon is receiving a crocheted tic tac toe game, since he raved and loved the one he saw me send away to someone else. Norah is receiving that little clutch I displayed some time ago.

I remember my Mom collapsing with fatigue or having migraines on big important days, like Christmas. I think I now understand. Making magic is wonderful, but does take a toll on the energy bank!

I am most joyous about how much Simon and Norah enjoy our daily Advent devotions and prayers (we have several we must do). We have a little prayer box that is sought out each night. I KNOW the story of the birth of Jesus. But doing these devotions, I have found I have some questions. 1. How far is Nazareth from Bethlehem? and 2. What is the difference of being engaged, espoused, pledged to be married, or married, and which one was Mary and Joseph at the time of Jesus' birth? I also find myself treasuring and pondering in my heart.

My favorite is Luke, and my favorite verse of all:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

I can only imagine what the little word "all" includes. I wonder how she treasured and pondered. She did not have a camera or writing materials readily available to record the event. Did her treasuring and pondering create a memory that lasted forever? Did she realize her gift to the world would last forever and ever and know that her story would be recorded in the greatest book of all?

From Norah's preschool Christmas program yesterday:

The Mother:

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;

"To me be as it pleased God," she said.

"My soul shall laud and magnify God's holy name."

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

The Father:

We sing our thanks for Joseph, the guardian of our Lord,

Who faithfully taught Jesus through craft and deed and word.

Grant wisdom, Lord, and patience to parents everywhere

Who guide and teach the children entrusted to their care.

No wonder God really, really, really loves the little children, and that He guides and protects the parents.

A recent conversation in the backseat b/w Simon and Norah:

S: There is a Christmas tree

N: It is an outside tree. Not a Christmas tree.

S: But it has lights and ornament.

N: It is NOT a Christmas tree.

S: Yes, it is a Christmas tree.

N: No it is not! It does not have a skirt!