Wrapping it up

Well, less than 2 weeks until we light the candles on Jesus' birthday cake and it's coming down to the wire. I am almost finished with my Christmas cards, my Christmas shopping is drawing to a close (the money is gone, so I guess it's time to stop making purchases:) and I have started the baking process. Caleb is wrapping some of Moriah's stocking stuffers even as we speak (I had to keep him occupied so I could spend a few minutes with my blog). Both of the kids' Christmas programs are this week & the last day of school until after the new year is this Friday. I cannot believe it, the time is flying even faster than the snow;)
So what do I want to remember about this time of frenzy? What will I be left with at the close of it all, other than a new bathrobe (thanks Mom, I look forward to it)? What will the visions be in the heads of my children? Will they be consumed with tearing through yards of wrapping paper searching for the perfect gift, only to be left feeling empty and disappointed when the last of the ribbons are discarded? I hope not. I hope to look back with a smile on my face, confident that we did our best. Not our best to give them the most materialistically satisfying Christmas ever, but that we did our best sharing the true meaning of Christmas. Of sharing faith, family, love. My kids already know Jesus is the reason we celebrate. They know all the symbols on the advent tree and the songs proclaiming Jesus' birth, but I pray it will be much more than knowledge this year, that they can have true joy. Not because of what they've received wrapped in paper & bows but what they've received in their hearts. "Come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel..."