Advent – the season of preparing for Christ’s birth – arrived on Sunday.  Our priest reminded us that it’s like being a child waiting to go on a big vacation, all excitement and bustle.  In the same way we might prepare for a vacation or birthday or other big event, we now prepare our home, our families, and ourselves for Christ.

For most of us, preparing as a child is all about the excitement and waiting.  As adults, the word prepare, takes on a whole new meaning: Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, Christmas dinner, Christmas parties.  And as the adults, the work falls squarely on our shoulders.

So is it any wonder that I’m sitting up at almost 1 a.m. with so much on my mind that I can’t sleep.  It’s not just preparing for the Christmas season in my house, there are also school functions, parties, two birthdays and lots of extras on my “to do” list.  This year I’m also responsible for  room mom duties at both the preschool and kindergarten classes, contract work that needs to be finished, two birthday parties to host in one week, and so much more.

So instead of getting a good night’s rest to help tackle my Advent preparation,  I’m sitting up making mega-lists and worrying about how it will all get done. 

Is there a saint for worry warts like me?  Please let me know, because, I think I’m going to need a little extra help getting thru the next few weeks. And I have sneaky feeling that I’m not alone.