Merry Christmas

“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.” ~  Thomas S. Monson

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

I remember as a child being giddy with joy as it got closer to christmas. it wasn’t just the countless preparations of cooking, decorating and shopping. Nor was it the idea of recieving. No it was the idea of gifting. I loved seeing my small childlike gifts being opened by my family. I loved the magic of Christmas, from the religious aspects to the fantastical and everything in between. It was the season as a whole. There wasn’t one aspect I didn’t not love. 

It seemed as if for just a little while the whole world was one. Regardless of whether it was Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, the Solstice, or any of the other holidays that are scattered thoughout the last month of the year. It truly felt like their was peace on earth. For despite the darkest days, it is with the  lightest hearts as we gather together.

Now that I am older while my gifts have graduated from little trinkets that my family lovingly humored me with to items that have a wide range of sentimental to practical, I have yet to lose that exuberance. I still love this most wonderful time of the year, but now I have the added bonus of seeing it through the eyes of my nieces and nephews.

That little kid ebullience. The awe-struck expressions as they learn about Santa flying around the world on his sleigh delivering packages to listening to readings of the Christmas Story to listening to carols sung at Midnight Mass to the joy of waking up in the morning to unwrap presents that “magically” appeared. And yes despite their young ages the giddiness they get when they give their own presents or when they go shopping for Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Papa and… Auntie Kate. Yup, I definitely know who the favorite relative is.

It is a season of coming together of family and friends. The simple purposeful act of giving. Not just monetary, but of oneself. Of sharing in drinks, and company. Being together. Not giving presents, but being present.

That in of itself is such an incredible gift. Putting aside electronics, and just embracing each other. Heck it is a time when even adults can act like little kids again even if it in the guise of havng to make sure the toy “works” properly.

 

Yes, it really is the msot wonderful time of the year. And the added bonus of a white Christmas the first time in years makes it all the more magical. I hope you all have a very very Merry Christmas if you celebrate, and just a happy day even if you don’t.

Much love to you all!

How are you celebrating this year?