Advents of All Kinds

Every year at Christmastime, without fail, I feel the wind rushing by my face as the calendar pages riffle like some sort of makeshift fan. It helps that shopping is easier now. Click-click-click and I've got the Amazon truck whizzing by every other day. But we are all so much more distracted, what with phones and devices and Netflix. Our collective ADHD has spread like wildfire and all the clicks are just making the merry-go-round go faster.  

This year, we have had our own Advent going on, in addition to the traditional Christmas watch for the Christ Child. Our daughter, like her mother and grandmother before her, was late with delivering her baby, nigh on three weeks past-due. Diva that I am, had four flute performances looming. I put out prayer flags to all my friends and even people that weren't my friends...pleading with God to let me not miss anything. I didn't want to leave anyone in the lurch when my part wasn't covered. Because I sure as shootin' wasn't going to miss the birth of my 13th grandchild. She scooted on in there, in between event #2 and #3, praise the Lord, beautiful and serene as a kitten. She looks just like her beatific Mama.  

The excitement was mostly over, when we made our way to church last night for Event #3. A calm and a hush fell over the auditorium, where little children and not-so-little children played various instruments for the prelude. Then their choir lined up front. A lone little boy sang out, as only pre-pubescent boys can. The pure, singular sound hung sweetly in the air. As the night progressed with the choir, carols and Scripture-reading, everything began to crystallize into one of those times where all at once, things made sense and the clock stood still for a bit while we contemplated the nobler, higher things. It was a grand pause, the knowing of goodness and light suspended in time. We rush and plan, run to and fro, but these are the nuggets that make it worth it all. 

There's still another nine days before we haul all the gifts around for our annual goings-on. I might  make a Sam's run, cook a few things, call an old friend or two. But I think I already found Christmas and it's snugged up right here under the ribs.