I hijacked Christmas this year.
At almost 1 am, I donned my boots & coat and hauled the wrapped gifts that traditionally get placed beneath our Christmas tree in the living room to a smaller tree all the way out in my soul shed.
Two nights ago I felt a little twinge of something missing. The boys have known the secret of Santa, and that’s okay. I try to find surprise gifts among the asked-for ones. But the magic isn’t quite the same. And for some reason this year I felt it more.
So I formed a secret plan to bring a little Christmas magic back. We needed some. My youngest confirmed my suspicions when he said it didn’t matter when we woke up. This coming from the earliest bird in our home.
There was last minute shopping for my plan 2 days before. Big mugs for hot apple cidar, red velvet ribbon to welcome guests, floor cushions to soften our seats (dog beds, btw, make great floor pillows for people, too. Home Goods staff thought I had 5 lucky puppies 
).
Hunkered down in the dark shed, I secretly wrapped blueberry muffins in a soup tureen with a bow, pulled out the cinnamon sticks, and vintage plates. The cushions were lined up all in a row. And that little space heater was put to work.
No…that didn’t actually work super well, but it was an idea. 🙂
In the night
Before all this, we watched The Nativity Story. Beautifully done. Reminds you of the awe and true miracle of the eve. As I was walking to the shed in the middle of the foggy night, I felt I knew why Jesus might have been born at a late hour under darkness. Not just to protect his birth from those who would do him harm, but it’s the greatest time of PEACE. Stars twinkle, wind sleeps, nothing stirs. Truly the most peaceful time to welcome the giver of peace. The quiet felt magical last night.
And there we shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Luke 2:8
I closed the door to the shed with a big red bow, the twinkling Christmas tree lights glimmering from inside. Crawled into bed and prayed my family would feel the love.
In the morning
Now I have to confess, my youngest was not amused at the missing gifts. He didn’t care about the note to “Look for the light.” It took a bit of time to convince the family to put on their shoes and trek outdoors.
But in the end, I think we all enjoyed the special change. A different space. A new twist. Tess, our rescue dog from just 1 year ago this very season, recognized her spot right away and seemed content to lay beside us as we unwrapped gifts. The cidar was warm, the heater glowed, and we took our time.
Traditions are wonderful. But I think we can find new ones, too. Or at least imagine things a little differently. To make our loved ones feel special, to create memories, to bring some newness to the everyday. I hope my family looks back on this year with fondness.
Hope you were blessed this year, and ARE blessed in the New Year! 
Make the moments count,
Kellee
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