The holiday season has always been my favorite time of the year…between the cozy, cold weather that begs to keep us bundled up at home watching the twinkling lights, to the smile which spreads across my face when I smell a fresh balsam tree or homemade goodies fresh from the oven! Add a few candy canes and oh my! I’m in my glory!
Can you tell I like the Christmas season?
I remember back in my childhood when I learned that the gifts from Santa were really from our parents. I was devastated and never told anyone that I knew the secret. Instead, I kept quiet and continued to believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas until my younger sister shared that she didn’t believe in Santa anymore. It was only then that my parents looked to me wondering if I knew the truth as I’d been so good at believing…to their relief I already knew and had just been playing along to make the magic last longer.
But now my children are grown and even though my life has changed over time, I haven’t lost that spark of magic that finds its way to me every Christmas season…it finds its way to me each and every year without fail. I find myself singing carols in the car. Smiling for no reason as I see holiday decorations and please, please, please, keep me out of Hobby Lobby and other stores which sell mountains of fun decorations because I have little will power to resist! I love Christmas!
I’ve never been a minimalist – only a maximalist – when it comes to Christmas lights, decorations, and little trinkets from relatives past. My smile widens and my heart soars when I decorate for Christmas! It’s the magic of generosity, of love, of singing carols which are as old as time, and especially the hope, faith and love that come wrapped in a big beauriful bow and bough with the season.
I believe in the reason for the season – for the love that seems to increase at this time along with the generosity of heart that comes to even the Grinchiest people. The lights that emerge in the darkness to guide us home where merry friends and family gather. I find that kindness grows exponentially as do the smiles I see on the faces of strangers and friends alike. Yes, I believe in Christmas miracles and in the power of prayer. I believe in kindness. I believe in the healing. I believe in the camaraderie of people gathering together joyfully to sing, to eat, and to be together for a little while, sharing each other’s company and being present as it were – to shine their special lights in the darkness and to unify the world. At least that’s my hope.
May we all be a little bit kinder, gentler, and look around to find the lights in the darkness and add our own special brand of love to the mix. I believe in the goodness of people. Don’t you?
Joyful Change With Yvonne 