"Merry" Christmas????

yes....what is this "Merry" Christmas business anyway? And why dont i feel super" Merry"??? Why have we turned Christmas into this horrible monster? Santa Clause and presents, and presents, and pressure....I mean presents....it is really too much, isn't it? Thanksgiving is a much more peaceful holiday....the expectations are so much better! All you are expected to do is eat lots of food, and watch football! Great! But for Christmas, apparently that just wasn't enough....nevermind that this day signifies one of THE most important days in Christian history! Let's go ahead and make it all about STRESS!!!!! That only seems like the best idea, right???? Ok, ok.....i am a little bitter right now....it could be that i am completely overwhemed at home and at work...The kids are stir crazy because it's so cold outside, we just got the bill for my son knocking out my husband's tooth(yes you read that right) and I literally have laundry coming out my ears! Ahhhhhhhh!
Focus, Casey, focus......Jesus....born to save and set free. Why am I feeling so shackled right now? My guess is my focus isn't really where it should be....I am definitely concerned with the things of the earth, not of Heaven....that might help :)
But setting aside all expectation is so difficult, espescially when we are bombared every day with 10000 commercials reminding us that we have 10days, 17 hours, 25minutes, and 32...31...30seconds left until Christmas! I do find it slightly ironic that the only one who can save us from the madness of this holiday mess is the entire reason we have it in the first place :) So I think for the next 10days, 17hours, 20minutes, and 57....56....55seconds I am going to try very hard to throw my expectations in the garbage can and let the real reason for this season be my guide :)