How was your Thanksgiving?
I hope full of love, warmth, family and food.
Now, take a breath, and a short rest, because the race begins anew as Christmas approaches.

Are you a last minute shopper or a buy when you see it shopper?
I'm pretty much a buy when you see it shopper. Mainly because I hate crowds, therefore I avoid days like Black Friday and Christmas Eve shopping.

Are you going to stimulate the economy this year and run up the credit cards? Or are you going to show restraint and buy less?

What about making something for your gift giving this year or give IOU'S, such as babysitting, grocery shopping for an older family member. What about maybe cleaning or doing laundry or perhaps making a meal, all in lieu of a store bought gift. I'm sure you are even more creative than I am and can think of more things to do.

What ever you choose to do, please remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. It's really all about God's gift to us, His Son.

Why not start a new tradition this year. At some point either on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, gather your children and read them the greatest story ever told, the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus, from the greatest storybook of all, the BIBLE.

Then on Christmas Eve, find a church service and this year attend it as a family.
Give thanks for having another year together as a family and say a prayer for those families that are separated for what ever reason. Pray that next year they will have the opportunity to be together again.

Okay now, take a deep breath, ready . . . set . . . go . . . run. It's time to race toward the finish line . . . December 25, 2010.