Maybe that's a good thing. I kind of miss the laziness of relying on capitalism to provide Christmas for me, but then again, I'm not sure I like the kind of Christmas it provides.

While I'm grateful for carols with neighbors and tonight's school Christmas play, most of my Christmas inspiration this year is coming from the internet it seems. Even from 3,000 miles away, you Americans are spreading your Christmas cheer! It started with Facebook and all your Christmas-y status updates. Next came Lindsey's thought-provoking blog about Christmas. And then today I discovered the Advent Conspiracy website. Interesting.

Except for 2 Advent calendars and 3 ornaments on the door, you wouldn't know it was Christmas (or Advent) at our house. Without much input from Harris Teeter and WFAE, I have the space to celebrate in a way that's meaningful to me. And the responsibility, because honestly I could just let it pass by without much notice (particularly since we'll be in the Uruguay airport on Dec. 25).

What will I do with this space? Will I throw the baby out with the hay and bathwater, or will I find a way to honor Jesus and His incarnation even without Nutcracker-shaped Snickers bars and spray-on snow? While many people in more developed countries are trying to find ways to slow down, step back, and simplify the season, I'm blessed to have all that room to breathe. Now I just need to use it as an opportunity to figure out how you celebrate the coming of Christ anyway.

Christmas so far in our house has meant secret kiss cookies, lots of singing and music, sending each other emails of things we would have bought if we had an unlimited budget (and weren't going on vacation), Christmas lesson plans, Advent calendars, and Ethel's ham biscuits (which my mom brought a month ago). Tasty and fun, but not super special so far and not necessarily inspiring.

What is your family doing to celebrate Jesus this December?

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