It’s always kind of a letdown.  No matter how “well” everything went, we humans are not meant for this sustained level of intensity and special-ness.  Every meal, dish used (I am in the kitchen a lot), activity, and outfit, all must be different, special, festive, to commemorate the awesomeness of our Savior’s birth.  And it is true that his coming is a wonderful and amazing thing.

But the season never quite lives up emotionally, or even physically.  The wonderful meal gets served a bit late and cold or is burnt, or otherwise didn’t turn out.  The children surely don’t love the variety of dishes and must be coaxed to try just one bite.  People are sometimes grouchy, tired, disappointed, anxious, and so am I.  People talk too much or too little, children didn’t get their naps and are fractious, and it is often not “the most wonderful time of the year”. We want so much to be “up ” all the time at Christmas, but that is not reality.  And let’s face it, that is not Christmas either. We have invented a scenario that is doomed before it begins, and that has nothing at all to do with Christmas.

So today, I want to stop trying to create memories and enjoy what happens.  I want to thank God for his Son this day and every day. I want to eat and serve simply and with love. I want to listen, laugh, bathe small children, read stories, play, and hug my grown children in thankfulness. But I want the forced special-ness to be passed. It was fun, but it’s enough.