Skip to main content

My Christmas wishlist

Yesterday I learnt that some people are already erecting their Christmas trees. Sounds like a fantastic idea to get into the Season - if you don't have a two busy kids!

For the past couple of years, I've really enjoyed having our tree decorated with (my favourite) fairy lights twinkling in the night - and sometimes day - and all the festive cheer that comes with it. We normally pack it all up 1 week later and it just feels short-lived.

We've jokingly noted that this year we'll have to suspend the tree from the ceiling because of all the children around. What about a couple of wreaths hung on the wall? In my house, storing gifts as high and out of sight as they can be is probably the only way they'll survive until 25 December - safe from children and adults alike!

This year, my Christmas wishlist is quite long...

I'd like:

1. A relaxed morning, as we prepare for the Church service, reading the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and thanking God for sending His Son. I want to exchange more hugs, kisses and smiles than anything else.

2. I'd like to walk into Church on time and wearing a smile - also some comfortable clothes, belts that fit and shoes that I can balance on.

3. I'd like to celebrate with the believers as we remember the first Christmas and sing familiar carols that reignite our hearts with praise and thanksgiving.

4. For lunch I'd like to sit and eat. Be it on the floor, on the grass, or at a dining table. I'd like the food to be cooked with love and eaten with appreciation.

5. After lunch I hope for more music and laughter as we exchange gifts and cards, visits and Skype calls as tokens of our care for our friends and family.

6. And before bedtime, I'd like to be tired but not cranky. Moeg but not uitpyp as we round up the kids - filthy, sticky, sweaty and sleeping (I hope) - and hold them tightly as I thank God for their place in our family. And ask Him to take His rightful place in our family.

And then smile to myself as I fall asleep...

"I don't want no plastic Christmas!" - Andel Klaasen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...
1 comment
Read more

Happy 4th birthday, Jorja

An extract from Jorja's journal: My dear Girl In just a few hours we will celebrate you: Your life, your voice, your faces, your feelings, your character and your childhood. We are far from home, but still find ourselves surrounded by family who love you. Your cousins, great Aunts and Uncles are getting to know you now and there's no doubt that they'll never be the same again! This year, instead of the usual party in Cape Town, by God's grace we're on a family holiday overseas. What a way to start! Whether we dress up, or go out, bake a cake or sing happy birthday to you every hour on the hour, this will be a truly memorable day. Every year at this time, I think back to the days leading up to and eventually your birthday on 5 June 2009. I'll never forget the entry you made nor the way I felt when I first realized that the little baby girl I held in my arms was real. Our gift. Each birthday comes around so quickly and by then you've grown so m...
3 comments
Read more

Week 22

In no apparent order, some of the highlights of the last week have been: Carolling around a log fire with a Yankee Swap, cookies, coffee and new friends Last Friday evening we set off for somewhere near Norwich for our Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) Christmas party. As visitors to the church, there's already an element of insecurity...now to be heading into someone's home, as Dear Husband would say, "socially awkward levels were at an all time high" - Was the gifts we brought to swap suitable? What was a Yankee Swap anyways? Could you bring something besides sugar cookies to share? Do you have to take off your shoes at the front door? Are you allowed to park people in when the alternative is further up an un-lit, ice covered hill? There were so many unknowns! But once I saw the wood burning in the fireplace I relaxed a lot . Yankee swap was fun! DH was no. 2 to pick a gift, and landed a torch  umm...flashlight, as the locals call it , and it looked as though h...
1 comment
Read more