Merging from Thanksgiving holiday with an expanded waist line and a heart full of gratitude, I look toward the Christmas Holidays with excitement. Several years ago I found that I was succumbing to the busyness of purchasing presents, travel, participating in Christmas pageants and parties, all of which crowded out the quiet anticipation of the season. Too many Christmas mornings I’ve realized that while my presents were wrapped, my heart was completely unprepared to truly take in the Gift. Therefore, I established a strategic plan (can you imagine a strategic plan for Christmas, remember God had one), well I did. For me, without a plan I have tendencies to let things fall through the cracks.

To you the reader, you must keep in mind June and I have Christmas a week prior to the actual date in order for our family (three sons, three daughter-in-laws and nine grandchildren) to spend…