KISS

Well, it's December 2nd. Even though it's not officially winter, we definitely have winter weather outside. We've been watching snowflakes the past several days. I would love to say I've been bundling up and facing the cold and taking my walks. I'm afraid I've been getting my exercising mostly doing low impact aerobics to CMT and chasing the dogs around the yard. I talked to a friend yesterday. She and her husband are walking faithfully everyday. I'm gonna try to keep them as my example and get my lazy butt out there.....soon.

Because it is early December, it is time to decorate for Christmas. It is the Advent season, when we prepare to welcome the greatest gift of all, our savior, Jesus Christ. I want to remember to make him the focal point of this season. It's easy to get carried away with all the holiday preparations; the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating and the socializing. But, I want to try to start each day remembering what this season is all about.....Him.

I mentioned earlier that we decorated outside with greenery and white lights. That's what I'll be doing indoors as well. My favorite decorations, though, are my nativities. Mark's parents gave us one, and I've managed to accumulate a few others. So, even though I've got tons of decorations in boxes upstairs, I really think I'll keep it simple this year.

We had a Hanging of the Greens service at church Sunday night and as we each placed our greenery around the church and the ornaments on our tree, it was Mildred, one of our dearest members, who gave us that special reminder. As we each brought up the figurines of the nativity and placed them on the table at the alter, she cradled the baby Jesus in her hands. When we had all finished, everyone asked, "Where is Jesus?". Mildred took the time to tell us a story she recently read concerning a Christmas play that had failed to make a place for Jesus. She just wanted to remind us that we needed to remember to make a place for Jesus and remember that He is the reason for the season.

I hope you have a great day and as I continue to remind myself to Keep It Simple, Susan, I will hope that you will remember to keep a special place for Him in your Advent season. love, Susan