Editor’s note: Today’s blog on the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is from Terri. The blog posted yesterday of the same name was written by Patty. And yes, their remembrances of years past are different. My apologies for the confusion.

I do love this season.  I love the music, the decorations, the tree, the excitement, the preparation, the waiting and I love the reason!  I have had this love all my life.  This year, with so much turmoil, dissent and tragedy in our lives, I find that concentrating on this preparatory time is good for my soul and consequently, my attitude.

I want to share a special Advent memory.  During my freshman year, we read Maria Von Trapp’s Around the World with the Von Trapp Family.  Her chapter on Advent traditions struck a chord with me.  I convinced my mother that we should practice one of these meaningful traditions in our home-Christkindl (Christ Child).

“Secret Santa or Angel” really doesn’t replicate the Von Trapp’s tradition which puts the Christ Child right into the center of their activities.  The purpose is to secretly perform acts of kindness and love for the chosen one, not buy gifts.  Maria explains: “As I am performing these many little acts of love and consideration for someone in the family, I am really doing them for the Infant of Bethlehem, according to the word: ‘And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me” (Matt. 18:5)

So, I put all my family’s names on little slips of paper and put them in a bag.  There were 7 children currently.  Each child and my mother picked out a name.  I drew my mother’s name!   I was thrilled.  I could do something secretly every day to help my mother.  There were endless opportunities to choose from.  I decided to make her bed in the morning.  While she was preparing breakfast, I would slip into her bedroom and quickly make her bed.  She was so pleased.  She mentioned it often, acting completely mystified as to who was performing this task and she stated that it was a big help for her.  She may have guessed who her Christkindl was, but she never spoiled the surprise for me.

Mrs. Von Trapp notes that this practice is good not only for the receiver, but the giver.  So true! I can still remember the feeling of love and gratitude that fueled my bed-making activity.  This is the example that the Christkindl tradition fosters-selfless giving, love and respect just as the Christ child practiced in His home in Nazareth.   

This is a special time of preparation.   For me, it is important to remember why this it is the most wonderful time of the year.  It is the preparation time for the birthday of the Christ Child, the Son of God.  The God who loves you unconditionally.

Terri