expect nothing, enjoy everything.

It is commonly in a somewhat cynical sense that men have said, "Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed." It was in a wholly happy and enthusiastic sense that Saint Francis said, "Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall enjoy everything." It was by this deliberate idea of starting from zero, from the dark nothingness of his own deserts, that he did come to enjoy them."
G.K. Chesterton, Saint Francis of Assisi

It's unfortunately so easy to become overwhelmed with so much business this time of year...with social gatherings, gift making, errand running, hosting and that one thing we do to make money to be able to do these things (yes, the job). I've been experiencing the weight of business too much than i should, and came across this in the Advent devotional, prayer, meditation book i'm going through. it hit me, made me think which also made me take a breath to put things back in perspective. i hope it does for you too. oh, and this scripture. it's full of beauty, encouragement and rest:

¹⁸ Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
-Ecclesiastes 5:18-20