Christmas is such a magical time of the year, especially for children! I'm not sure that it has that same magical feeling for adults, but, it can! It's up to us as adults, to help our children and families find and keep the Christmas Spirit throughout the season.
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the commercialized Christmas that we are bombarded with everyday this time of year. It's hard not to feel guilty if we don't give our wife diamonds, or give our children and husbands the latest electronic or digital gadgets! But, in ten years, they won't remember what they got for Christmas 2010. What they will remember is the Christmas Spirit that they felt when they were with you!
I always think of the Grinch, when I think of Christmas Spirit. Remember in the show, how he was standing on his mountain with his little dog. He had just taken everything from Whoville, all the toys, gifts, food, Christmas trees and decorations . . . everything! Then, just when he thought he would hear the people of Whoville crying, because he taken away their Christmas . . . he heard singing:
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss~
The true Christmas Spirit is about love and kindness, not materialism and shopping. Do your best not to get caught up in that.
I pray that I can be more Christlike this Christmas season and always. That I will think of those less fortunate than myself, give what I can and then keep them in my prayers. I want to make this season as memorable as possible, with family, music and laughter. I want to make my home a haven for my family - a place here they can come to feel the "Spirit of Christmas", not just the stress and hassle of another holiday.
What do you do to make this season special for you and your family?
Warm hugs,
11 comments:
We have a train around the tree that was LT's grandpa's train. Every year we add something new, nothing elaborate, but the grands love to see the old things and find what's new for this year. Sometimes it's just a new milk delivery truck or a couple of new skiers...tiny, little O guage figures. They love the familiar the search for the new.
Barb, Love your thoughts great post..For the last several years we have keep Christmas simple and reflecting upon the Born of Christ. The "True" meaning of Christmas !!!
Merry Christmas
Blessings to all !!
Trish
Hi Barb,
This is a wonderful post! We are trying to make this year a simplier, low-key Christmas...not so many gifts. It certainly is more relaxing this way! Gives us more time to focus on the 'meaning' of Christmas. :)
I guess what I can do most, for mine, is remain as stress-free as possible. Everything is better, when Mama isn't stressed! -giggles-
I'm here from Aunt Amelia's Attic and I was just going to comment and was reading the other comments when I saw yours and it took my breath away.
You have a blind granddaughter and I'm sure you're all used to it by now although I don't know how old she is.
I have ten grandchildren and one great grandchild and I have always taken it for granted that they would be able see. I take too much for granted...
Beautiful thoughts to ponder,Barb. We try to spend as much time as possible doing things together as a family. We start the first of December helping the children/grandchildren focus on our Savior Jesus Christ through FHE activities and lessons. We also try to select a family that needs help and do 12 days of Christmas for them. Caroling to our neighbors and dropping of goodies is great fun. And of course making cookies for Santa is a must. Also, we traditionally visit Temple Square and enjoy the lights. Nola
Wonderful post! I loved reading your post. You are so right about what makes Christmas the best and that is to have love, kindness and giving to those that have less. I too am working on having a Christ centered Christmas. We will a Christmas party with Sean's family; but otherwise it will just be the two of us; which I know we can make it a sweet one.
Give all of those Grandchildren of ours extra loves and hugs from us on Christmas.
Love you dear friend and have a great week before Christmas.
Blessing and hugs to you! Leann
Absolutely the truth! Thank you for reminding us of the true gifts of Christmas.
I just love being together with family and friends - talking, laughing, playing games, eating and just being together! That is what makes it special for me.
Gina
barb, we all need a reminder. this year my honey and i bought gifts for the grandkids, but we are thankful that we not only don't NEED more, we don't want more. when you have Him, you have it all!
Hi Barb,
What a beautiful post. A gentle reminder of what Christmas is really about. It's not about us...it's about celebrating the birth of our Savior.
We don't have a very large family, since most of my relatives are gone and his siblings really don't get along all that well. So it's just going to be the 4 of us, plus my aunt and uncle who would be alone otherwise, and a friend of my daughter's who was widowed recently and their family is too far away. My son's girlfriend will be at her parents house. It's quite a change from the days when both my brothers and their children, my dad, my cousin and his family as well as my aunt and uncle, all came to my house!
However, just a few of us can make a big noise and have lots of fun. We just enjoy being together, playing games, eating, visiting, eating, watching movies, eating, laughing...did I say eating? :D
I'm like you in that I try to make my home a warm, cozy haven where everyone feels loved and can relax. I love to decorate the house for Christmas, and it's fun to see everyone enjoying my efforts.
Blessings to you and yours this beautiful Christmas season.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Another great post. I've just tried to keep myself stress free and included the grandkids in the giving I did. I've tried to not let Christmas preparations take over my life and keep things calm and peaceful. We have Christmas at my dd's and we have all cut down on gifts and talk about the real meaning of Christmas. Your posts have been good reminders to keep it real.
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