Christmas Preparations

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Today is our first day of Christmas vacation from homeschooling. It is really less of a vacation than it is a time of preparation. In years past I did not set aside adequate time to prepare for Christmas and we did our school schedule right up until before Christmas. This left me feeling stressed, unprepared, and unable to celebrate Christmas as I had really anticipated celebrating - with joy and peace.

This year we have worked extra hard at our school schedule so that we can enjoy some time off in order to prepare for Christmas. We will be doing some traveling to visit family as well as hosting the immediate Olson family gathering that we are affectionately calling SnOw-for-Fun (as opposed to the Olson's summer gathering named Camp O-for-Fun). We have packing, shopping, wrapping, baking, and crafting to do while we crank up the music, dance around and get the house ready. Doing these things together includes life lessons in planning ahead, baking and cooking, decorating and cleaning, finances, and growing relationships.

The most important lesson is the real meaning of Christmas, the reason we celebrate - the birth of our Savior and Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. While we look forward to our own preparations and celebrations, it is with joy that we read "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this" and to know that it has been done for us!