"You look tired," I said to a new acquaintance.
"Oh, I am exhausted. I cannot sleep for thinking about everything that's going on."
She began to pour out her story of moving her father and step-mother to different care facilities, trying to be present for her father in his depression, and getting ready for Christmas.
"So, what are you doing for Christmas?" was my next logical question.
"I'm cooking for 25 guests, will come get my dad and go get my step-mom... well, you can see. It's going to be a zoo."
"Are your siblings helping?" She has several. "One of them volunteered to bring the rolls," she replied, shaking her head. I didn't even ask her about her Christmas shopping.
I wonder if this is representative of many people at Christmas. A time we tout as JOYFUL has become a terrible chore for so many. Shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, hosting, cleaning...for a few hours of togetherness that might or might not meet expectations.
I have spent more than one Christmas away from family. Some of those years were better than others.
As I thought about it last week, I realized what a quiet, peaceful Christmas this is going to be for me. I have bought only a few small gifts, and did not even send out all my Christmas letters. But I want to simply spend an extended time with the Story and the Prince of Peace on the day we celebrate His birth.
Well, I might make some commemorative cinnamon rolls. (Sharon and Phil know what those are.)
