Advent Preparation

I love this season!  Even though, most years, I end up feeling very overwhelmed and stressed.  In order to alleviate some of my "bah-humbug" holiday stress, I decided to start earlier this year, and can actually say that I have 70% to 80% of my shopping done.  First. Time. Ever! So, when we pulled out the advent wreath, Jesse Tree, nativity sets and Christmas picture books on Sunday, I decided to keep on going.  You see, normally, I only put out Advent stuff at first and then 2 weeks later or so, I decorate the rest of the house. 
Years ago, a wonderful priest stated that it was not appropriate to "celebrate" Christmas before Christmas actually got here.  We should save Christmas for Christmas and use Advent to prepare; he encouraged us to hold off decorating until closer to the actual holiday.   Of course that makes sense.  But, I am ashamed to admit,  a lot of the excitement and anticipation disappeared for me.  Preparing for Christmas had become just one more chore to cross off  the enormous Christmas to-do list.

Waiting to decorate the house until mid-December(when holiday preps are ramping up in a big way) just made me more stressed out.  The decorating became a big burden; so much so, that one year I was tempted to only put the tree and stockings up and leave it at that.  I never did go that far, but I did cut waaaay back on decorations that year. 

So, this year, in my attempt to lessen my stress, I decided to put up most of the decorations on the first Sunday of Advent, leaving the tree and stockings until later (when college boy gets home). 

The younger kids were thrilled to see the house all Christmasy, and were so eager to help.  My oldest daughter, who is extremely fond of keeping traditions exactly the same as they are "supposed" to be, looked askance at me, wondering what I was doing.  She seemed to be pacified when I assured her the tree would go up at the "proper" time.
In the back of my mind, however, I questioned if I were doing the right thing and not jumping the gun.  I heard the excitement in the kids' voices as they exclaimed how "homey and cozy"the house was.  I had a lot of peace, also.  Then, it dawned on me.  Advent is a time for preparation and that is exactly what we were doing.  I wasn't celebrating Christmas early, but preparing for it!  We light our advent candles and read the Jesse Tree readings, all in anticipation of the birth of Our Savior.  We prepare a nursery before a child is born; and we prepare our homes, but especially our hearts, for the birth of the newborn King. 
If preparing early lessens the stress of it all, and increases our anticipation and excitement, it's all good, right?
Forgive me, Father, for I have decorated....