Monday, December 10, 2012

Are you ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas?

I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked that question, and Christmas is still 15 days away. The question seems to have replaced the weather as the opening (sometimes only) topic of conversation.

My mind kept going back to this seasonal question as I watched the Sunday afternoon football games yesterday. I was stuck on trying to figure out why the question is so popular and dominant at this time of year.

The quick answer is obvious - a lot of time and energy is focused on preparing for the Christmas celebration.   But my ruminations went deeper.

Are people asking me if I've finished spending my money? Are they asking me if I've finished decorating everything? Have I wrapped everything? Have I written seasonally appropriate cards to everyone I know, especially the people that I only communicate with at Christmas time? Have all the family gatherings been planned down to the last details? Have I got all my Christmas music playlists prepared? Has all the Christmas baking been done?

My answer to the above questions is no!

Have I gotten into the Christmas spirit?

What do they mean by that?

Are they asking if I've immersed myself in the Advent season, a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth?

Not enough.

I wonder, how often are we asking superficial questions like how are you; are you ready for Christmas; or is it cold enough for you? Are we looking for more than a fluffy, no-substance response?

How often do I do that? Why do I do that?

Maybe I need to pay more attention to what I'm saying and asking.