We’ve been doing some decorating at home, ripping up old carpet and laying new flooring—laminate that’s easier to keep clean. Then came the choice of paint colour, something a little more modern that goes with our flooring in the kitchen, and the cupboards too. We’ve been planning ahead for further painting in the New Year.

Then came more—painting, that is. It always happens. Once a wall has been painted, it looks fresh and renewed, then the next one looks dull and lackluster. And so we decided to paint another wall. To do that, we’d need to rearrange some furniture, lay out cloths or plastic to protect the floor. Oh, and the sanding, to smooth out some imperfections, patch up nail and screw holes where a cupboard was once bolted on, one we relocated on moving here.  Dust everywhere. And we’re supposed to be getting ready for Christmas. Shouldn’t take long, I thought; but things come up and the job takes longer.

The tree is up and decorated, in the rec room, and the wall that has one coat of paint needs another. Then we can rearrange the furniture again. My middle daughter is hosting Christmas dinner, and so I guess it’s okay that we’re at this stage, but I want to get ready for Christmas too. Today, I will apply that last coat of paint. Today, we will put away the paint gear and get ready in earnest. Tomorrow will be the day for making cranberry relish and cookies, even if it’s only one batch of each.

I didn’t mention that the shopping’s mostly done, with packages wrapped and tucked away. I’m not so far from ready in that respect. It’s not just my house, you know. It’s my heart and soul that constantly need renewal.  It’s Advent, time to prepare, and Christmas will soon be here.

Am I ready, really ready  to celebrate this special birthday? I keep reminding myself that it’s not just about the shopping and decorating, though I like to do the latter, and I do love to choose the right gift for someone I love and care about. And I like to entertain too.

It’s a reminder to keep “Christ” in Christmas. It’s a reminder that we  humans can’t do it all, no matter how hard we try.  And the imperfections in our bodies and souls—we can’t patch those by ourselves either.

There’s one who loves us and cares  us whom we can count on. Traditions we keep around Christmas are just our ways of celebrating and how we get carried away with it all. There’s One we need to remember and welcome. I need that reminder regularly, how about you?