Are you ready for Christmas?  We ask it of each other especially during these last weeks as a conversation opener.  I envy those who have all their preparations complete because I seldom have been satisfied with my own progress, no matter how hard I try.  I recognize it has to do again with my expectations of what is necessary.  I have let go of some traditional tasks, pared down others and don't feel frenzied or guilty about it.   Circumstances have changed my routines which at first left me unsettled, but have taught me the importance of the little things. 

For many years, I spent the month of December running on the treadmill of Christmas projects which I believed was important to give my family.  We mothers are particularly drive to design a course, program it in and exhaust ourselves in the marathon. 

When are we ready?  When it arrives, no matter what part of our plans have been completed.   I'm sure Mary would rather have been in her own community with family and friends for the birth of her child, probably hoping they'd be able to get back home. 

God was ready though