Lisa Notes: Thankful for Christmas chaos?

Thanksgiving is almost here.
Which means it’s almost over.
Which means it’s almost...Christmas.

We anticipate the coming of Christmas.

We make lists.
We schedule activities.
We expect happiness.

I made myself a note for this day before Thanksgiving:
Prepare for Advent.

How?

Fresh candles of purple and pink are set in our advent wreath.
Crèches are placed to mirror Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
Music of babies and salvation and hope play through the speakers.

But my soul.
How do I prepare my soul?
To receive Christ afresh? Not just on Christmas morning, but every day?

I begin with giving thanks.

Instead of dreading the chaos that comes with Christmas, may I instead be thankful for its opportunities?

I rejoice that, at least for a season, the world remembers that God sent His Son among us.

At least for this season, may I take advantage and more openly express that love?

So I make lists.
I schedule activities.
I expect happiness.

I prepare for the coming.

               • November 27 - First Sunday of Advent
               • December 4 - Second Sunday of Advent
               • December 11 - Third Sunday of Advent
               • December 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

How do you prepare for Christmas?

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Julie · 699 weeks ago

Thank you for making us think proactively...yes..indeed how SHALL my family prepare our HEARTS for Christmas...MUCH MUCH to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.. beyond belief...God has worked tremendous steps in our lives and path. Loving Him for His ever tender and watchful care ...perfect in every way...even the difficult stages...When it is ALL said and done...God is the one to whom the Praise goes....Alone. Hugs to you Lisa. Have an outstanding Thanksgiving. xoxo
My recent post The Things we do for Love....

1 reply · active 699 weeks ago

Lisa notes · 699 weeks ago

A lot can happen in a year, huh? So thankful that you've made the move successfully and all is well. God definitely is always at work, and yes, he ALONE is worthy of all our praise. Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving too, Julie!
My recent post Thankful for Christmas chaos?

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bluecottonmemory 55p · 699 weeks ago

I love the Christmas chaos - I love the gift giving, reminding me of God sending me His son, so I could be called his child. Trying to figure out how to teach that to growing up sons, to make it alive for them like it was when they were little:)

Wishing you blessing during this Thanksgiving Season!

Well, that encourages me--there are some people who really do love the chaos. :-) I'm trying. May God bless you as you impart spirituality to your boys. May you have a great Thanksgiving too!
My recent post Thankful for Christmas chaos?

brian · 699 weeks ago

you have to expect it or it will never happen receive it...and prepare for sure...thanksgiving is a hard discipline a times...esp in light of all that is going on in the world around us...

hope you have a great thanksgiving leading into advent...

Lisa notes 103p · 699 weeks ago

Thanksgiving can definitely be a discipline. It's a beneficial one but one that doesn't always come as naturally as I'd like.
My recent post Thankful for Christmas chaos?

Lynn Severance · 699 weeks ago

This time of year - with specific time set aside to celebrate the realities that are with us each day - does take some perspective. My life has been so slowed down, family dynamics so changed that I am not a part of them unless I invite myself. Basically I have no one but me to "schedule" . That has to be done carefully. It adds a new freedom while letting go of former days that were treasured ( and missed ).

It takes such balance in body, soul and spirit. I don't know if I do it well, but I try - mostly to be accepting and realizing that it is God and me all the time. That has always been true but now it goes deeper.because so many other things/people have been stripped away for various reasons.

I continue to love the "giving" side of this season - finding the just right gifts and that will never change!

Bless all of you ( friend readers of our Lisa ) and bless you, my friend, Lisa. Gviing thanks and thankful for you! xoxo

Oh, I wish you lived close to me, Lynn, and I'd pick you up to make the Thanksgiving rounds with me. You and my m-i-l could talk for hours about teaching elementary school. :-)

But I know God has his purposes for you there, and you are so submissive to his ways to seek them out. What a beautiful example you are to me. I pray that your Thanksgiving will be a blessed one. I will be thinking about you. (And I'm glad you have your computer back! I don't think I responded to that e-mail yet. I thank God for his timing with your presentation too. It will work out well in February.)
Love you!
My recent post Thankful for Christmas chaos?

Old Ollie · 699 weeks ago

this good...for me...msot years I'm ready to pack Christmas in. You have a much better, no...thankful attitude.

Just pull out some Johnny Cash tapes and you'll be fine. In private anyway. :-)
My recent post Thankful for Christmas chaos?

floyd · 699 weeks ago

Yeah, I struggle with the business and often get caught up with all the end of the year wrap ups. Need to prepare my heart. Thanks for the reminder...
My recent post A THANKFUL HEART

The Orange Tree 22p · 699 weeks ago

sharp, hope that you have a lovely thanksgiving day today.

imperfect prose · 699 weeks ago

thank you so much for this lisa. i was feeling overwhelmed today, thinking about christmas and the busyness of it all. i need to be focusing on advent, on the meaning behind int all. happy thanksgiving friend.