It's a wryly amusing oddity of our culture that we spend more time and energy preparing to celebrate than we do actually celebrating.

Hours of putting up decorations and we never take the time to look at our own (let alone our neighbors'.)

Hours spent searching for gifts that are opened in minutes and forgotten in days.

Hours spent planning a party or a festive meal and you barely leave the kitchen to spend time with guests.

Time and money spent on cards, but you never read the ones you receive.

This year, make it a point to actually CELEBRATE the season. Read your cards. Enjoy your gifts. Linger over your meal. Sit in a room illuminated only by the Christmas lights, listening to Christmas music. Spend time with frinds. Take a walk to enjoy the lights.

Remember, the reason we prepare is so that we can celebrate and renew our hearts for another year.