a new view of Christmas

So this holiday season has been very different from years past. First of all, there's a little bundle of joy who feels much more joyful when she's in my arms and that does make it difficult to string ribbon around the tree. And second of all, well, I'm just plain tired! Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE decorating for Christmas. But this year it just feels like a chore. And I feel guilty for saying this, but in the back of my head I keep thinking 'You're just going to have to take all of this back down in a few weeks. Is it really worth it?'
Isn't that terrible?

But then I think about how much Christmas means to me. I can only imagine how intimidated Mary must have been knowing that she would be the imperfect parent to a perfect child. I mean, goodness I'm intimidated by being a mom as it is! Can you imagine having to constantly worry about messing up God's firstborn son?

The upside to being a new mom, though is that this year I have a new perspective on Christmas. It's not just a yummy smelling, warm fluffy season filled with pretty cards, cookies and presents anymore. I actually know what it would feel like to have to ride on a bony donkey for hours while pregnant. Yowsers! And I can just see Mary waiting in sweaty agony to hear that beautiful first cry from the newborn baby Jesus after a grueling delivery. Not to mention the fact, that I now wonder how Mary must have reacted to A) all the strangers coming to gawk at her family and B) all the unasked for advice that I'm sure they probably felt inclined to share with her. Personally, I don't think I would have handled it very well if a bunch of stinky sheperd men showed up to see me in the hospital. And, hello? Wise men, or stalkers? I would have been a little freaked out! Somehow, the story just seems so much more vivid now. Almost like I was missing a few pieces to the puzzle.

So, I don't mind that it takes me a little longer to decorate this year. And I'm telling you now that I probably won't have everything packed back up by January 1st. But that's okay. I bet Mary would totally understand. Everything's just harder with a baby!