I've been doing a LOT of thinking lately about the whole "Christmas Conundrum" (see http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/29/the-christmas-conundrum#.TuAUiasP0vB.facebook for a fantastic article about it!) I started thinking through some of our traditions and why we do the things we do, and I think I discovered something pretty incredible. Our traditions are worshipful! Of course there are the thing that look as worshipful as they are: Advent, church service, the early morning reading of the Christmas story, etc. But even the things that are not "religious" play a very important part of making the whole celebration special. For example, decorations. The whole house is transformed in preparation for Christmas. Sort of a tangible expression of our hearts being transformed by Jesus. Plus, they give the house, the yard, the parking lot, wherever, a true sense of magic and wonder. And isn't that a big part of Christmas? That night was so magical that a
"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday." ~A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh