Ornaments, Tacos and God....It's Christmas time in the South

C'mon, admit it, you were really curious about this title.

I know I haven't been blogging a lot lately. This time of year lends itself to running about like a chicken with it's head cut off, manic shopping sprees (usually for myself since I'm stressed about what to buy others) and an overall feeling of impending mayhem. I don't know that anyone wants to read about that as I'm not as witty or self-deprecating as a lot of blogs I follow.

So what's with the title, right? On Tuesday nights, at least when impending mayhem is held in check, I spend a few hours with the women in my Life Group. This is what bible study is called through our church, because we're doing life together - the ups, the downs, sharing both the joys and blessings and the sorrows and hurts...and always the the laughs.

Last night was the annual ornament exchange and taco night. Tacos for Christmas? Why has no one in Yankeeland thought of this? Everyone brought something and we had a feast - there was an inordinately large amount of shredded lettuce, tortillas from Uncle Julios, sopapilla cheesecake and the best company I could have asked for. Oh, and thanks to Pinterest for my ornament idea - it was a hit. Even though it didn't look quite like this one...errr....well, this is embarrassing, but Pinterest is having some sort of hissy fit or melt-down. I'll put a picture later, if I remember. Hey lookit! Here it is!

In the midst of all the fun, laughing, eating, sharing favorite Christmas movies and more laughing, we talked about what names we use for God. Redeemer, benefactor, forgiver, Emmanuel, ATM (I think this was All to Me but I remember it abbreviated to ATM) and others. In the season that focuses so much on the world and what we want and think we need, it can be humbling and refreshing to remember that Christmas isn't about trees, ornaments, presents and cookies - although these are all nice things and we should enjoy this time of year. But being reminded to keep focus on "unpacking Christ", to borrow a phrase from Ross Sawyers, is a gift that I cannot give thanks for enough.

Merry Christmas, friends, if I don't see you before.