Author by : Audrey Lizee

For most everyone, this is the most exciting time of year, or it used to be. The excitement of decorating, baking, shopping, sending cards, parties, gift exchanges, food, and family gatherings seem to create an aura everywhere. It astounds me to see how hurried life is when seasons like Halloween and Christmas blend together in the department stores. I, personally cannot stand to see Halloween witches and ghosts displayed with nativity scenes! Then the Wish Book comes out already early enough for the kids to ‘grow’ their wish list! There seems to be a panic set in as people realize the countdown is on, the bank accounts are not quite ready for the season, the year has not been long enough to remove those extra pounds and the big question remains of what to buy for who and how much to spend.

I believe that at some point in time, we lost our focus about why we were doing all the preparation. I believe that life has become so materialistic, commercialized, and fast paced that we forgot the reason for the season. Are we not supposed to be preparing our own hearts for the celebration of the biggest birthday party of the year? Have we missed out on the whole concept? Maybe some of us were not brought up believing that God gave us the greatest gift in His son Jesus Christ, and that we are asked to celebrate that fact on a chosen day each year, December 25. Maybe our childhood was more about Santa than Jesus. We all believe what we believe because of our upbringing.

Traditions and Christmas customs are what we keep in our memory wheel, no matter what they may be. Traditions are what build our family identity and history, specializes time spent together each year, keeps us close, brings the generations together and creates a perfect setting to teach about family values. Values are different for everyone; it is such an individual, personal thing that no one can take away from us. Throughout our lifetime, those values may change but it is not up to us to judge another’s values.

Nonetheless, this one day every year is a positive day where we all strive towards a more selfless standard. Gifts of memories, connections, time, praise, appreciation, forgiveness and love are the ones that will endure. These are the ones that cannot be bought, wrapped, baked, polished nor mandated. This holiday season can be joyous, slow paced, enjoyable time to reconnect with our spirit, family, friends and ourselves. Or it can be sad, tired, stressful, disconnected, depressing time, leaving you feeling isolated and lonely. Only you can chose!

No matter who you are, where you call home, what you believe, whether you are Christian or not, it is ultimately the love you have in your heart all year long that matters most. “Love” is what people remember long after the dishes are done and the paper is recycled. “Love” is what will make your house a home for the holidays. This truly is the Season of the Heart, and there is good living in everyone’s heart. Maybe it is good timing to reach out and touch someone else’s. Merry Blessed Christmas to each and everyone!!!

[tags]christmas, season[/tags]

Related Posts

• No Related Post