December. It's that time of year where my life gets taken over with music programs. I sing. I sing for ward parties, dinner parties, work parties, stake firesides-- just about anything that comes my way. I love it. It feeds my soul. That being said, sometimes I lose track of time.
In December, I lose track of everything -- my kids, their school work, life. I lost track of what is really important. I haven’t shopped yet, and it’s December 15. Not because I’m bah hum-bug or anything, it’s just that we don’t have the money. We are just waiting for that last check and hoping we can keep the power on and still buy a few gifts.
Last night as I got home from a voice recital, it was around 10:00pm and my children were still up and bright eyed. My youngest, seven years old, was just waiting for me to get home. I sat on the couch and put my feet on my husbands lap. As I looked around the room, that I had just finally decorated that morning, I remembered that I had not put the nativity set, in it’s correct position. I told my youngest to go ahead and do it.
This nativity set was given to me by my oldest brother. He hand painted it and gave it to me! Me, the young brat of the family. He’s become my stand in dad, since mine passed away. It means the world to me. As my son pulled each nativity piece off the shelf I kind of yelled. “BE CAREFUL”. “ That is not replaceable. Your Uncle David made that, please don’t break anything.” “I won’t,” he said.
You see, a seven year old never intends to break anything, accidents just happen.
I didn’t pay attention after this point. I kissed the boys goodnight and headed to my room. Today, as I sat on the couch and started in on sewing some Christmas gifts, I looked at the nativity. “What the heck?” I thought. “What has that kid done?”
The nativity set was facing backwards. I mean, every piece had it’s back to me. My cute son had placed the nativity in the back of the shelf. All of the members of the set were facing baby Jesus. The cows, sheep, shepherds, angels and kings. They were all crowded around the stable with their back to the world.
I went to get up and FIX this big mistake and then I just stopped. This was not a mistake. This was truth. My son, knows what Christmas is all about. We should all be centered on Christ. We should have our backs to the world. We should not care if people notice how we look, or if they notice our tree, or our decorations or how good that last song was.
I've had a change of heart.
Instead of making my nativity so the world can see their beautiful faces, this year the world will see their backs. The world will want to be looking in to see what is so amazing that has everyone gathered around to see, and does not care who is watching.
I want to look in that stable and not care what the world thinks. My shopping is not so important. My singing can wait. I want to center my world on Christ. I want to Him to know that I don’t care and the world can look at my back.
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About the Author: Chris is a psychotic mother of five and a professional singer. She keeps it all together by trying to focus on the things that matter most. Her blog is private.
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In December, I lose track of everything -- my kids, their school work, life. I lost track of what is really important. I haven’t shopped yet, and it’s December 15. Not because I’m bah hum-bug or anything, it’s just that we don’t have the money. We are just waiting for that last check and hoping we can keep the power on and still buy a few gifts.
Last night as I got home from a voice recital, it was around 10:00pm and my children were still up and bright eyed. My youngest, seven years old, was just waiting for me to get home. I sat on the couch and put my feet on my husbands lap. As I looked around the room, that I had just finally decorated that morning, I remembered that I had not put the nativity set, in it’s correct position. I told my youngest to go ahead and do it.
This nativity set was given to me by my oldest brother. He hand painted it and gave it to me! Me, the young brat of the family. He’s become my stand in dad, since mine passed away. It means the world to me. As my son pulled each nativity piece off the shelf I kind of yelled. “BE CAREFUL”. “ That is not replaceable. Your Uncle David made that, please don’t break anything.” “I won’t,” he said.
You see, a seven year old never intends to break anything, accidents just happen.
I didn’t pay attention after this point. I kissed the boys goodnight and headed to my room. Today, as I sat on the couch and started in on sewing some Christmas gifts, I looked at the nativity. “What the heck?” I thought. “What has that kid done?”
The nativity set was facing backwards. I mean, every piece had it’s back to me. My cute son had placed the nativity in the back of the shelf. All of the members of the set were facing baby Jesus. The cows, sheep, shepherds, angels and kings. They were all crowded around the stable with their back to the world.
I went to get up and FIX this big mistake and then I just stopped. This was not a mistake. This was truth. My son, knows what Christmas is all about. We should all be centered on Christ. We should have our backs to the world. We should not care if people notice how we look, or if they notice our tree, or our decorations or how good that last song was.
I've had a change of heart.
Instead of making my nativity so the world can see their beautiful faces, this year the world will see their backs. The world will want to be looking in to see what is so amazing that has everyone gathered around to see, and does not care who is watching.
I want to look in that stable and not care what the world thinks. My shopping is not so important. My singing can wait. I want to center my world on Christ. I want to Him to know that I don’t care and the world can look at my back.
-----
About the Author: Chris is a psychotic mother of five and a professional singer. She keeps it all together by trying to focus on the things that matter most. Her blog is private.
