Shabbat!

i've decided to take sabbath more seriously.

every monday scott has the day off and we call it "sabbath", but to be honest, lately i've been making stupid choices:  like shopping (there's nothing restoring about the mall), or vacuuming, or having a "to-do" list.  the point of Sabbath is to cease, to rest, to play, to pray, to have a day void of "should" and filled with "want". 
this, conversely, requires work.
it requires planning and diligence and protection.
so, for the last few weeks i've gone grocery shopping on Sunday, so that the house is filled with yummy food.  today, for my sabbath lunch, i had a baked hash brown skillet with Camembert, white wine, bacon and maple syrup.  shabbat!!
i've tried to get the house cleaned on Sunday night, so that i don't feel the need to pick up or do dishes before resting the following morning.
i've said no.
and now, in this season of craziness, there is a peaceful hush descending on my home.  an oasis. 
today i napped, i read, i watched a tv show in the afternoon (not my usual!), i crafted, i painted, i prayed and looked over this last week with God.  i feel restored.  and ready.

i love advent.  i have multiple adventium traditions for our children - 25 ornaments to put on a tree, 12 boxes to open with little presents and puzzle pieces that eventually form the nativity, 6 presents to open explaining the gifts of Christmas...it's a little over the top.  but it helps me stop each day, even for a minute, and remember the reason, the truth, the light of this season. 
tomorrow we celebrate St. Nicholas day.  my kids shoes are out in the cold already, waiting for chocolate coins and little treats.  we've talked about Saint Nicholas the man: rich, and so devoted to Christ that he gave all his money away, throwing it through the windows of poor homes (or maybe even down chimneys to land in stockings drying by the fire...).  we talk about Santa Claus - how a man could be so good, so influential, that stories and tales are woven, and a magical character created. 
and we talk about how we are NEVER to tell our friends at school what we have just learned :)

it feels magical.  it is magical.  it's a time of year for awe and surprise and wonder.  how did God choose poverty? helplessness? obscurity? 
and how does He choose me?

i was brought to tears last night, watching my daughter sitting in her row, waiting for her turn to say her line in the Christmas pageant.  and oh, did she say it with gusto!  someone later remarked on her dramatic flair and i of course feigned innocence.  my son was also up on stage, ringing some bells and singing a song i remember singing at his age.  he actually fell face first off the stage, but don't worry - i didn't even notice!  he came back to where i was sitting and i said "did you like that buddy?" and he said "yeah.  except for the big fall."
oopsie.

well, i'm off to continue shabbating with some popcorn and my hubby.
Shalom to you all.