Saturday night, while John took the Christmas decorations from where they’d been stowed in our giant living room closet and I prepared dinner (which, coincidentally, was red, green, and white), we listened to Christmas music for the first time this season.
I love a good Mariah Carey or “Last Christmas” in December, but this year I was hesitant to turn on seasonal music. As much as I’ve been looking forward to Christmas and in theory wanted to get the decorations out, when the time came I kind of froze.
Some of that had to do with blogs I’ve been reading lately that are reminding me Advent isn’t Christmas; Advent is a season of waiting, of preparing, of hoping. I love that about Advent, and I didn’t want to be celebrating quite yet. The other thing, which I realized just before my doctor’s appointment last week, is that there is part of me that still doesn’t believe we’ll bring another little boy home in a few weeks. Again, not time to celebrate yet.
John and I agreed to listen to religious Christmas music, as a way of easing into the season. When the music started to play, this is what I heard:
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem!
I was already finished cutting the onions, so that wasn’t the reason there were tears in my eyes.
Further, regardless of the dosage customers may choose to buy levitra tabs deeprootsmag.org in a pack of 32, 64, 96, 160 or 336. More to You: It is quite natural that men have to face different types of physical, mental and sexual problems with time, but never get upset experiencing the problem of ED. 100mg sildenafil Smoking and use of tobacco can also lead to the erectile generic levitra online tissues of penile organ. This gives a satisfactory feeling and thus, he is able tadalafil free sample to attain the sexual pleasures during intercourse.
Rather, I felt a weight shift in me: Advent is a season of waiting, yes, but it is a season of joyful waiting. The hope is certain. The promise will most definitely be fulfilled.
I always kind of thought that having a birthday around Christmas would be a bummer. You’d get overshadowed every year. Now I’m learning that, at least from a mother’s perspective, this is the very best time of year to meet this little man.
We continued to listen to songs about welcoming a new baby boy into the world. I heard the word “joy” more and more. I am under no illusion that Henry is the Son of God, but I know for sure that he is a son of God, a child of our Father.
Two and a half weeks until I hold him in my arms. I make that statement based on trust, hope, love, and faith in our good and gracious God. And that is absolutely something to celebrate.
* * *
http://carrotsformichaelmas.com/2012/12/03/little-holydays-the-feast-of-st-nicholas/
The adorable button isn’t working for whatever reason, so click the link above to read other posts joined together in the “Little HolyDays” Link Up: Advent Edition, hosted by three Catholic bloggers, interested in exploring the liturgical year.
Thanks to Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas and the other two bloggers for hosting!
Loved this! Congratulations on your family’s new little life arriving soon 🙂 I don’t know what it is, being a mom or being pregnant or just being a sap but I can barely make it through a Christmas carol without getting teary-eyed. Wishing you a joyful Advent and thanks for linking up with Little HolyDays!
Thanks, Haley! So happy to have you stop by 🙂
I grew up thinking Advent and Christmas were the same thing! It’s definitely new to take a step back.
They are both so beautiful, when you consider their places in the liturgical year. So glad to have a place to reflect on that.
I loved this post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as you wait with great anticipation…you must have a special window into Mary’s soul this Advent as you wait. I hope the next bit of time passes in exactly the right way- not too fast and not too slow! Best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks, Abbey. Perhaps I should bring out the nativity scene at the end of every pregnancy. It sure gives me a special way to think about things and to be grateful for the tougher moments.