A New Kind of Christmas

Christmas is different this year... or maybe it's me that's different.  I think this was the first year since I can remember that it was actually hard to think of things to put on my Christmas list.
It's really not about gifts, is it?
Even if you don't have faith and you don't believe that it's a celebration of the Lord's birth (IT IS THOUGH), it still shouldn't be about gifts.

Sometimes December gets so stressful.
Buy the right gifts last minute, work through finals, fight a winter cold.
For me this year finals were pretty bad. I picked up double my normal work hours, came down with bronchitis, ran out of money, and struggled with car problems.  In the midst of it all I am guilty to say I got caught up in the bad.  I found myself thinking this is the worst time of the year, but it's really not!

So what's it about?
Why are we letting ourselves get so stressed this time of the year (or maybe it's just me...)?
Seriously, take that struggle as a blessing.  How good does it feel to be done with school and done with all of that and knowing that this weekend will bring family, friends, laughter, food, a warm home, MAYBE SNOW?

Christmas is truly an amazing time.  I get to be around all the people that I love more than anything and just relax.  After going, going, going for weeks I finally get to sit back and enjoy the little things.
Eggnog, logs in the fireplace, warm blankets, Packer game, amazing meals, good conversation.
Why do presents get to play a role at all?! To me that is so not fair that it takes away from the appreciation of the truly good stuff. But I suppose it is fun to give and watch eyes light up.

Here's a taste of my Christmas: