by Emily Saunders

Here we are on Christmas Eve with the anticipation of so many things resting on tonight’s clock tick to midnight.

We have the opportunity to celebrate our sweet Savior’s birth!

Our children are full of excitement for all things Christmas that will happen tomorrow!

There is hope and joy and sweetness lingering in the air!

Christmas eve is one of my favorite days of the year for these reasons and more.  The shopping and wrapping and craziness is over (hopefully).  No matter what did or didn’t get done on our long list of holiday plans, today the world begins to slow down (unless you’re doing last minute shopping).  We focus in on our families.  We relish the sweet moments, the kids in their P.Js, the cheer in the air.

I tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle just as much as the next Mom.  No matter how early I shop and how simple I keep the gifting and how choosy I am about which events to attend it all becomes overwhelming.  But it stops today.

Perhaps today has you baking or cooking or spending a quiet day together as a family.  Whatever your plans might be allow me to suggest a Word of the Day…. Savor.

Savor the moments, the possibilities, the anticipation, the chaos, the loud house, the rambunctious kids, the smells, the jingle bells, the lights, the stars.  Just savor it.

I wonder how Mary must have felt on Christmas Eve as the child promised to her was about to be born.  Was she nervous or scared?  Was she full of anticipation?  Was she freaking out or was she at peace?  Maybe she didn’t feel all that differently from you and me?

A few ideas for you and your busy family:

1. Read through the Christmas story via candle light only
2. Don’t leave your house all day and stay in your pajamas
3. Say yes to that kid project that takes “too long”
4. Encourage your kids to act out the Christmas story
5. Stay out of the kitchen unless absolutely necessary or a fun project that you enjoy
6. Watch your favorite Christmas movie curled up on the couch as a family
7. Serve as a family today- deliver meals, visit an elderly neighbor, stop by the nursing home with cookies
8. Go to a candlelight service at church and enjoy the peace and calm of the evening

This year is the second time that I’ve gotten to experience Christmas with less than 8 weeks to go in my own pregnancy and it offers a unique perspective as I too anticipate and plan and prepare.   Can you imagine what it must be like to KNOW that you’re carrying God’s own SON in your womb?

Today let’s just breathe.  Let’s savor these moments.  Next year the kids will be bigger and older.  The days can be so very long, but the years are short.  Let’s stop stressing and start celebrating!

May the true joy of the Messiah’s birth be upon you today and always!!