Christmas Thoughts

Christmas Thoughts-

One would think that the holiday season would be the happiest time of the year.  The world decorates. Lights twinkle on trees in homes.  Stores draw attention to displays with lighting.  Ribbons and bows decorate doors.  Garlands of fresh greens grace mantles and furniture.  Dressed up trees grace homes.  Christmas music makes us smile and even sing along.  Presents are wrapped in festive colors.  Surprises abound.

Yet, amid all the attempts to convince the world that this is the most wonderful time of the year, often it is not.  The hype is all about getting that someone special the perfect gift.  Or making sure the children have everything they want.  I remember when our son was a little guy.  I handed him a catalog of children's toys and asked him to put an "x" on anything he would like for Christmas.  Gave him a crayon and left the room.  When I returned, he had marked everything on every page with that x.  And why not? I loved his response.

I do admit that a special gift selected just for me is a lovely thing.  I enjoy the hunt for something special for those in my circle, too.   It makes my heart smile to know they will enjoy a gift given from my heart.  Giving is the real purpose, right?  That is what retail tells us.

It's a funny thing about gifts.  While they are certainly appreciated and even loved, the most precious gifts cannot be purchased.  They won't fit in any size box.  They are those things we make the choice to give.  They include our time.  Maybe a lunch date.  Or a time over coffee with a friend or family member.  In today's world where families are on tight time schedules, the gift of a few moments to visit is priceless.  Letting someone know that they are loved and appreciated by giving the gift of a few moments will be remembered for a lifetime.

Maybe Christmas is about slowing down just a bit.  Don't we all enjoy a cup of hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows on a snowy or cold evening?  Or a glass of wine while visiting in front of a fire?  Maybe it is about reconnecting.  Reflecting on the year that has been.  Recounting the good and the not so good.  Relishing moments.  Being grateful.  Telling someone you love them.  Refusing to get caught up in media hype.  Or at least trying.

I know.  It is difficult to find time to just be.  But, it is necessary if we are to be whole and healthy.

Just like you, we will be busy with preparations.  We will purchase gifts for our loved ones and those special friends who bring such light and joy into our lives.  We will decorate our trees.  Garland strung with lights will grace the front door welcoming all who visit.  We will do special things for our family.  Those are all things we want to do.  We will play Christmas music in our house and car.  Just like everyone else.

What I hope is different for us this year is the knowledge that the holidays are not easy on people.  Many feel lonely and sad.  I have felt this way.  I know how it hurts.  That feeling that everyone is having a wonderful time, and you are not able to share in the joy.  It doesn't matter what causes those feelings.  During the holiday season when everything is about being together and being loved, feeling like others don't love you or that you are alone in this big world is magnified.  I want to be aware.  To be welcoming to those who may be putting up a good front.  To reach out beyond myself and offer friendship.

Before we know it, it will be a memory.  All the decorations will be placed in boxes and stored for another year.  Life will return to our normal-whatever that looks like.  We will say it was such a good holiday, and that we are happy it is over.  What must not return to normal is our forgetting that life is more than trees and presents.  It is all about people.  Wonderful folks who come in all sizes and shapes. Who come into our lives with gifts to give-gifts of friendship and love.  Gifts of caring.  Gifts of being there when our world is falling apart.  We must hold on to memories of our children and grandchildren laughing with us.  Cooking something special.  Sharing that once a year thing.  We must remember to love on one another every month of the year.

Tonight I read something in a book by Joel Osteen.  My son gave me the book for Christmas a few years ago.  He said a car has a large front windshield and a small rearview mirror.  The large front windshield is pointing us into our future. It is large because our world is large.  We don't know what awaits us, but we can be sure that God loves us and is helping us move toward a better, brighter tomorrow.  The rear windshield is small.  It represents our past.  That part of us that is filled with the good and the bad.  We cannot change it.  It is our choice if we live in that small window.  However, if we do that, we will never move forward toward our best.  I love that.  I am going to think about that everyday.  When the holidays are history, our life continues.

It is my hope and prayer that each of us take time to rest along the road to Christmas.  To celebrate.  To remember.  And to always keep the warmth of this special time in our hearts.

Merry Christmas.