Luke 2:15 says: "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Christmas - what is this all about? It's about a sacred event that happened long, long ago.....
Sacred....not a word that is used often anymore in our society. Sacred means to be "set apart" for God or to worship God. It is also something that is made or declared holy. Something that is dedicated or devoted exclusively to one use or person. Something that is worthy of reverence.
So what is sacred to you this season? What is worthy of reverence to you? What brings a feeling of awe to you? What allows you to be set apart?
Think of the traditions or rituals your family had while you were growing up....was Christmas Eve the main celebration or was Christmas morning? What made you feel the Christmas spirit the most? Our family had the tradition of watching the movie "White Christmas" with my Dad. It was always a very special night.....and as children we would wait until Christmas eve to place the Christ Child in the manger. It was a significant tradition that still warms my heart to this day.
Maybe your childhood does not bring such a good memory...and if that was the case, may I offer you a suggestion? If sad memories of Christmases in the past haunt you, acknowledge them. Accept that they happened and are part of your history. But remember, they are NOT happening today. Rub a golden layer of love and forgiveness over those sad times and let them go. Rub your fingers across the fracture lines or your broken heart and be gentle with yourself. Love yourself through those not so good memories and create some new ones. I can only imagine how hard it must be for some people during this season. So, my hope is that you will feel the love of God wrapping His arms around you this season! I hope that you will KNOW that you are loved beyond a shadow of a doubt by the God of the Universe!!!
So, good memories or not, why not create a NEW tradition that will fill your heart with the gift of healing and JOY this year? Here are some suggestions of something new to do:
Bake Christmas cookies for the first time with your kids! Make different colored icing and use sprinkles to decorate! Make a MESS in your kitchen and laugh out loud while doing it!!!
Take a drive down to the Plaza in KC or wherever they have lots of Christmas lights and enjoy the sights! Then, when you come home, make some Hot Chocolate and enjoy the warmth of that sweet treat!
If singing Christmas Carols makes you feel wonderful, then sing them!
If watching sappy Hallmark movies make you get into the spirit of Christmas , then watch them! If not, don't!
Take a hot bath with candles all aglow!
Go out and talk a walk on a crisp winter night and look up at the stars - they are gorgeous!!!
Go Ice Skating at Crown Center or wherever there is an ice skating rink!
Read Charles Dickens: "A Christmas Carol" and put the spirit of Christmas back in your heart!
Then, read the Christmas Story in Luke 2. Sit by the manger. See the Child who came to save the world. He is waiting to come into your heart.
Enjoy this Christmas - maybe for the first time ever!!!
And, if going to Grandma's house or your mother-in-law's house makes you crazy - don't go! Or, at least give yourself permission to limit the time you spend there. Sometimes we need to compromise, so offer a compromise with a cheerful heart!!!
Also, being a friend to someone who may have just lost a loved one this year may be something you can do for someone else this year. Helping them may help you in your sadness, too. Go wrap your arms around them and just share a cup of tea or coffee.
Acknowledge Christmas in your heart.....let it be a new beginning. And while some of us may not have had the best Christmases in the past, this year you have a choice! You can choose to create a new attitude towards the holiday and find some JOY in it! You can choose to be with people who make you feel happy, alive and JOYFUL!!! Make some new traditions for yourself and enjoy this beautiful season - it can GLOW with warmth and light and healing, if you choose to let it do so!!!
Joy to the World!!!
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