Christmas as a Chore?

Christmas Eve Eve. My first blog post. Christmas cheer and good tidings to all. It has been difficult to get into the "Christmas Spirit" this year. This December has been free of white precipitation and yesterday and today have been unseasonably warm. If anything, they're calling for thunderstorms. Christmas this year has seemed like more of a chore than anything. I started the season off by sending a 3 year old girl down in Texas a Christmas package with Christmas dress, headband, shoes, and gifts to open on Christmas day, as well as a few hygiene essentials for her Mom. I found them through HeroNetwork.com and now I'm addicted, wishing I could help every single person on the site but I have to limit myself to one a month. Then I sponsored a mom and son through the local Salvation Army and provided their Christmas gifts as well. I was so thrilled to give give give that I had completely spaced on thinking of anything I wanted to receive. The gift-giving gets so much more difficult when it comes to your loved ones though. That requires thorough care, thought, planning, organization, and execution. And I'm just not feeling it this year. Could it be that my circle of people I have to give gifts to and think about as grown? Could it be that now I feel compelled to "compete" with my new husband for our gifts for each other? I put a lot of love and thought into what I wanted to get him, but it's not much. Him? He went all out.....I saw the bank statements. I'm also struggling to stay organized and focused when it comes to life in general and so this throwing Christmas into the mix has me forgetting what Christmas is all about. It is my hope and prayer that after I return home tonight from all of the last minute shopping I have yet to do, that I take a moment to stop and reflect on the real reason for this holiday and season of giving and celebration. He is my life, my light, my salvation, and my strength. "I can do all through Christ who strengthens me." And I will do my best to turn these Christmas "chores" into cheers!