Christmas is five days away and today begins the mad dash for more. This is your last week to do it all. Deals will be deeper, your defenses are down, and you’re not quite sure if you’ve bought enough, done enough, baked enough or celebrated enough.

You might be wondering:

• Did I remember the stocking stuffers?
• Did the kids get their picture taken with Santa?
• What am I forgetting?
• Should I bake more cookies or deliver pies to the neighbors?
• What could I do that would make the holidays extra special this year?

I think it is becoming clear that we don’t create the magical feeling of the holidays by getting frustrated in the mall parking lot, overspending at Target, or by adding extra bows and ribbon to our wrapped boxes. In fact, I would suggest that we don’t create holiday magic at all.

I hope this isn’t sounding preachy because I wrote this post today as much for myself as I did for you. I remember many last weeks before Christmas where I shopped, charged, baked and ate my way into missing the most important things.  Today I needed a reminder that I am enough, and even if I don’t do one more thing to make Christmas special, it will be. After all, Christmas was special long before we came along.

The magic and miracle of Christmas are happening all around us, but we might be too crazed to notice it. Take a little time away from the mall and the kitchen this week and embrace what is really special about this time of year. Create a little space and time to experience the magic and joy of the season.

What magic do you love about the holidays? (This post is all about Christmas because that is what I know, but I think the message applies to all holidays, faiths, and people)