November to December is a big jump.  I have called December “Planet Christmas” for years – so maybe it is a “light years” type jump!

Since we always go to the Oregon Coast with family for Thanksgiving, there is a sense of journey anyway.  Unpacking from days at the beach blends in with unpacking the Christmas decorations – all with a bit of urgency because (it seems) everyone else was putting  up lights and decking the halls while we were walking along Siletz Bay and enjoying leisurely family dinners in restaurants!

Getting The Advent Calendar up (the large family one I made from a felt kit nearly 30 years ago – and the single future family heirloom worth fighting for, according to my kids).  Getting the Advent candles set up – and George has been making them for the past couple of years, so there is a bit of a process there!  Plotting December – the events, the deadlines, the lists.

Oh, the lists!  When there is a list of “lists to make,” well, you know life is going to get a little crazy…Or, I guess, it is already a little crazy.

My daily to-do list is chronically long in December.  And a bit misleading because a small task like “Call Mary” might be right under “Decorate for Christmas”  — and there are nebulous not-really-check-off-able listings such “Christmas Cards” and “Knit.”

Yeees, the Christmas knitting.  It is progressing.  Perhaps not as speedily as I had anticipated (remember those walks along the water and restaurant dining?).  But it is early December and I am still optimistic.  And, even better, I am enjoying the process – it is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas Season.  I also enjoy writing Christmas cards, watching Christmas movies, and listening to Christmas music.

It occurs to me that the root word of “enjoy” is “joy.”  Yes, I remind myself, “joyful” is the word to keep in mind – in action, too.  It connects all the festivity and the activity to the heart of Christmas, the Great Love that flows in all Creation. It seems to come to the surface more readily at this time of year – expressions of love and friendship, generosity, playfulness, appreciation, remembrance.  Immanuel. God With Us.

May all our Christmas preparations be heartfelt and joyful!