I just posted this on Memphis Connect:

Local churches offer a variety of Christmas Eve opportunities this week. A wide selection of styles and formats means you’ll surely find a place that will suit your beliefs and preferences. Styles range from lively, family-oriented pageants to quiet, contemplative candlelit services.

Read the rest on Memphis Connect >>

My Christmas tree doesn’t look like this anymore. In fact. there are no gifts under the tree at all. There isn’t even a tree skirt; the dogs just keep playing with it and doing their business on it, so what’s the use?

These days, the girls’ Christmas lists just include money and gift cards so they can shop for themselves. I don’t fight mall traffic or stand in line for Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo or Furby. There are no packages hidden under drop cloths in the garage. I haven’t wrapped one single gift this year. No reason to charge the video camera to record the excited faces on Christmas morning.

Sound kinda depressing?

Not at all. I’ve traded frenzied shopping, lists and lines for time. More time with loved ones, especially my girls, whose time with us slips away too quickly. More time to relax and enjoy the season, to pause and reflect on why we celebrate Christmas.

Yesterday I did nearly half of my shopping in about 15 minutes’ time. That must be some sort of record, right? There are a couple of gifts to buy, but I won’t be stressed, hurried or frazzled. I’ll enjoy the cool weather, the decorations and the Christmas carols on the radio.

I’ve learned to embrace the changes that come with each new season of life, even as I look back misty-eyed on years past. It’s not like that anymore, but it is like this. And this is amazing.

How have your holiday celebrations changed through the years?

Photo by jimmiehomeschoolmom via Flickr

photo posted from my iPhone

Here are some of my favorite presents:

• the fabulous denim jacket that my daughters helped pick out for my husband to give me — so I would get rid of the 12-year-old one they hate.
• the Pottery Barn charging station I bought with my birthday money and some Christmas money — I’ve plugged in all of my iPods, my phone, 2 USB hubs and my scanner, trackball and keyboard (the USB port on the back of my monitor doesn’t work). It also has a neat drawer to keep headphones, digital camera cables and iPod cases. Geek heaven with half the mess.
• the silver iPod nano I happened to get because my mother accidentally ordered two — and had them engraved (which negates the possibility of return). So I don’t care at all that it says, “Merry Christmas Martha Lou” on the back, I love the silver nano, which I had been looking for some excuse to get anyway. Actually I guess it’s not technically a present, but it is dang cool nonetheless.
• the licorice jelly bellies that Santa always leaves in my stocking

And lest I give the impression that my Christmas was all about the stuff — the special Christmas Eve secret that I share with my oldest daughter and the great quality time with extended family pretty much made it Christmas.