Merry Christmas People!

The thing that I most like about Christmas is people. I like to people watch. I like to see people in good moods or seriously bad moods in the middle of the "most wonderful time of the year." I like watching people open presents. I like it when people aren't bothered by Christian music playing in the malls because it is about Christmas. I like watching people get frustrated at their kid's list in the toy store. I like getting up early on Black Friday to watch people start their shopping with frantic searches for something cheap that their kid will like.

I like all that stuff. It's just fun to me. I don't really care if I get any presents, I just want to see others get some. It sounds selfless, but it isn't. I selfishly crave the moments, and if I could capture them on camera, it would be even better. Tonight I go to a party full of teenagers. It's even money whether or not the attitudes are good or bad, if you know a teenager, you know that. I like getting pictures of these teenagers in the attitudes that get others irritated at them and in their joyful moments, the overly enthusiastic times that people tend to overlook because the bad times are so very bad. I love seeing that. I love sharing those moments with their parents later just to remind them about the good stuff when the attitudes come back.

I love watching my kids this time of year. There were at least two times so far that I wished I had my camera stuck to my eye all the time so I could have caught some moments of wonder. Becca is just beautiful when surprised.

This year I have been a little too busy for the good people watching. Sitting on a bench in the mall just watching people is the best. Try it sometime. Don't worry about the parking space, find one in the back, you are just going inside to sit anyway. I know that spots in the back are hard to find right now, too, but when you are relaxed and don't really have a specific destination in mind, it makes the parking lot less frustrating. Find somewhere to sit. This is again not too easy, but the walk to find this place is interesting, too. Enjoy the walk. Watch people around you. When you find your spot, sit and relax. The frustrated people will be there. The happy people might be there. I like to sit and pray for the really frustrated ones. I like to pray for the kids getting dragged along, or shoved out of the way. I like to pray for those working in the kiosks. It can be difficult this time of year. I've been there. Those who work in the toy stores are also in need of a lot of prayer. Patience is pretty thin the closer it gets to Christmas. I've been there, too.

So, if you are in the mood and have a few hours to spare, give it a try. I don't recommend doing it with small children, but older ones might appreciate it if they have the patience to sit and watch. I guess it depends on the child.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11