Many years ago, when I was a full-time teacher and mother to school-age children, a couple of books made their way to my bedtime reading just before it was time to…

deck the halls,

bake the cookies,

make the budget,

buy presents,

pick out the card,

gather recipes,

host the party,

buy matching pajamas,

trim the tree,

take the annual photo,

wrap presents,

go caroling,

coordinate outfits,

cook and clean,

untangle lights,

see The Nutcracker,

address cards,

juggle families,

buy more presents,

visit Santa,

buy stamps,

stand in line,

make travel plans,

blow the budget,

watch It’s a Wonderful Life,

baste the turkey,

hang the stockings,

put a red bow on everything including the dog,

oh, and celebrate our faith.

(Back then we didn’t have to put the elf on the shelf!) Those books, Simplify Your Christmas by Elaine St. James and Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson, had a huge impact on my thinking about how we experience the most wonderful time of the year.

We don’t know how you and your family should best spend your last days of 2016.

We are grateful that our readers come from different faith traditions, and may be celebrating any one of the many holidays in December.

We only pray that your holidays are filled with lovely things you’ve thoughtfully chosen to bring you and yours closer to the true peace and joy of the season.

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Think On These Things ~ Alicia and Natalie

Please join us when Lessons in Loveliness returns on Sunday, January 1, 2017!