I often hear the question “are you ready for Christmas?”

children count down the days – they are ready!

no child, yet I am always ready

getting the house into her Christmas dress

filling rooms with music

the adventure of Advent

shopping, wrapping, baking

singing, ringing, praying

all done?  No, of course – no.

but am I ready for Christmas?

mystery and magic say yes

and I learned a long time ago

Christmas comes whether I am ready or not

–  taken from my journal in 2010.