Well folks another Christmas will soon be here and gone…. Christmas decorations will be taken down, trees put outside or put away until next year….New Year’s Eve will be next on our agenda for parties and family get togethers…..but what about Christmas? Is is just another day in the year? Do we just celebrate it one day out of the year and forget about it for 364 days? I think not!!!
Christmas to me is about giving…..giving gifts, time, love, and understanding….For me Christmas is every day of the year! Because to me every day I wake up is a gift that I do not take lightly….especially the older I get!
Christmas to me is a reminder that I should always be kind to others, value the time I have with others, enjoy the little things every day and take time to soak it all in. I’m sure Mary valued every moment she had with Jesus, knowing that one day he would be taken from her. I’m sure she treasured every day she spent with her son. That’s what Christmas is about….being grateful for everything you have and not dismissing the little things or being so busy that you miss out on moments that will be precious to you later on.
For me Christmas is every day, because God gives me the gift of life every morning when I wake up….what I do with the gift is up to me….. I choose to treasure the moments, the sunrise, the birds, the rain, and even the snow sometimes….I choose to spend my day thanking God for this gift and trying to use it to its’ fullest each and every day. Some days I do better than others but I do the best I can each and every day. Some days my body doesn’t allow me to do all I want to do, but I don’t get upset or mad about it because I figure God is reminding me that I need to stop and rest and just be with him. If you know me, you know this is not easy for me to do…..I’m not one to be still, let alone be quiet too!!!
I am retired and I only have my social security to live on and with the cost of everything going up I can't afford to buy gifts. For me buying ‘things’ is not what life is about.
My ‘presents’ come in many different forms and none of them can be purchased in any store or online…..no amount of money can buy my ‘gifts’ ……they can’t be found on any website either.
I give something that money can’t buy…..myself.
My gifts are from my heart…..sometimes it’s just listening to someone who needs to be heard……sometimes it encouraging someone in need of encouragement……sometimes it’s just a quick “ Hi thinking of you” text message to someone I’m thinking about…..sometimes it’s a surprise visit even if it’s by facetiming on the internet.
So if you don’t receive the gift you wanted this Christmas it’s not because I forgot you….it’s because you have been receiving your gift all year long…..just not the one you expected.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year and I hope it lasts all year long……until next time….God bless you and keep you safe and healthy.
Author: Bernice Barnes
Comments