Pacing Myself May Lead to Joy

Sorry, fellow procrastinators.   I will not be joining you at Target or Wal-Mart or Macy’s this Christmas Eve.  For years I have waited until the 24th to find gifts for family and friends that hopefully would be treasured.  No more!

This year, I will do it differently.  Today, I pledge to start my shopping “early.”  I have ten days, seemingly a lifetime.  I will move cautiously through the streets, shopping districts, and malls.  I will be patient, I will smile, and I will try to complete the task happily, merrily, joyfully. I will step up to the cash registers and credit card readers while crossing items off  a well thought out gift list.  And, just like years past, shopping bags will be full of shirts, books, gift cards, and boxes of golf balls

This is “out of the box” shopping.  Only ten days left?  I think I can easily manage the time.  The gift wrapping still may not be up to department store standards, and the presents still may not quite match what was on the “Santa list.”  But I will  take pride knowing I have spent days, not hours, on the prowl trying to find the gift that will delight.

The original Christmas story is about the perfect gift.  God’s gift of unconditional love shared with humanity through the birth of Jesus.  A gift given “with no strings attached.” This gift is the love that brings joy- that feeling of happiness and belonging that dwells deep within our souls- to people we encounter daily.  Some nice things about sharing the gift of love is that there are no waiting lines, no 800 numbers to speak to customer service representatives, and no need to find a parking spot.  It has the potential to be delivered more often than that subscription to the fruit-of-the-month club.  Love given without expectation, every day and with every breath, can be given all year long.  For me it will take practice and effort and way more than ten days to even hope to get right.  Good thing I decided to start early this year.

Peace and Joy to all.   Merry Christmas!