It's two weeks until Christmas.  For me it's really one week. The weekend before we will be invaded by two grandchildren, ages 9 and 11, for three days. Then the drive back to Texas, work Christmas Eve and then it is here.
We will celebrate over the weekend. Transiberian Orchestra will be our big night Saturday, preceded by enjoying all the wonders of our downtown area, weather permitting. Outdoor skating, which the grandkids from Texas have never done, I don't plan on doing, but hope they will have the time of their lives. I'm the picture taker.
They will arrive Friday evening, Mr. Wonderful will go get them while I work, and Saturday morning will be the first time in many may years we have awaken with children and gifts under the tree.

I am excited. I have said for many years that Christmas is not about children. It's not. I dearly love the Advent season, when we prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus.  I am aware that is not his exact birthday, no one really knows, but isn't it wonderful to have a time to celebrate?
The wisemen came many weeks later but we cram it all into on day.

I've given up trying to explain to the masses that Christmas actually starts at midnight on December 24th and goes for 12 days. I've told them that if you attend my church the Sunday after the official holiday we are still celebrating and singing carols.  I'm usually looked at with eyes full of humor or total confusion and I change the subject back to the craziness of getting everything ready for the 25th.

I do the same thing. I wish I could for one year not put my tree up until the 24th. Look at the wonder of the magic of Christmas as it should be. I can barely make it past Thanksgiving.
I love the lights and the mystical feeling of the lit tree in my house when all the other lights are off.

When my children were young I would never turn the lights off at night. Awakening before the children got up, I'd come to the living room and sit with just the tree on, thinking about the season and how wonderful it can be.

As for the grandchildren coming to spend a few days with us, it will be fun again to have that excitement in the house as they get to celebrate the "first" Christmas for them. We usually have them after the big day when they are like  "where's the presents..Oh I already for that"
This year we tried to make sure our gifts are what no one else has bought. We will spend a day baking cookings and celebrate the season.   We will be ready for them to go home on Monday and then quiet back down for round two.
The only time I live better than Christmas is Holy Week before Easter. I gave up trying to explain that Good Friday is not just a day off work, but that's another post.

Have a blessed day as you enjoy the magic of the anticipation of Jesus being born unto the world.
Debi