His family, her family, extended family – a full house. “Remind me of why we host Christmas,” she whispered, feeling overwhelmed as she slumped into the armchair, exhausted. He responded with a smile, his beautiful brown eyes meeting with hers. “Because of this.” He lit the candles, turned on the Christmas tree lights, put on soothing music, and made her favorite beverage. “We do this because we take joy in the hidden blessings.”
We take pleasure in the twinkling lights, we delight in the warmth of the fireplace, we are in awe as we watch snowflakes dancing about on a cold winter’s eve. We savor the flavors and relish the fragrances. And when company arrives, everyone joyfully partakes in the experience we had the honor of creating. Christmas’s beauty embraces us, and such moments create memories lasting a lifetime.
We create every magical moment. We get to create the ideal Christmas experience for ourselves and for those we love. It’s in the preparation. As we go through all of our favorite cookbooks, choosing only those cherished tried-and-true recipes. We put up a tree and string it with lights, adding our favorite ornaments. It’s really all about creating special moments.
From lists to the gifts we lovingly select and carefully wrap. But it isn’t only about what we place under the tree. The gift is you. The gift is me. The gift is life. The life we get to envision and create. From options to choices, we are each gifted the right to choose. And how we choose to live each moment matters.
THE GIFT OF LIFE, THE GIFT OF TIME… THE GIFT OF LOVE
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
The gift of time. The time we have to experience all the wonderful things this life offers. The gift of love. Not only the love we have and receive throughout the year, but that extra something special we feel during the Christmas season. It’s love 2.0. It’s big, it’s bold, beautiful, and magical.
The Christmas season is a celebration of life. In Christianity, it’s celebrating Christ. It’s a season when we can reflect on a simpler time, reliving every special occasion. And a few gems always come to light, especially at this time of year. My grandmother always reminded us that everyone together at the table was one of her greatest treasures. Everyone – healthy and happy. Everyone – together. Nothing else mattered.
Over time, we may lose sight of family, of friends, of acceptance, of forgiveness, of love. We perhaps even lose sight of the meaning of Christmas altogether. Brigham Young said, “Love the giver more than the gift.” When meaninglessness sets in, it’s a sign we’re losing touch with the magic of life and all of its hidden blessings.
It could be you in a houseful of people or just you on your own. What matters is, everything matters. We all matter, each one of us. Whether celebrating Christmas together or apart, we can accept what is with a grateful heart. It’s really up to everyone to make each moment count.
THE HIDDEN BLESSINGS
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.
When we lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas, what matters most becomes less and less important. It’s when our quest for perfection opens the door to exhaustion and stress. This time of year simply invites us to appreciate the things that matter most. Somewhere between the beginning of December and Christmas Eve, we race against time. Simple day-to-day tasks compete with all of our holiday plans. We may even gloss over important aspects such as the meaningfulness of peace, joy, love, and faith.
Perhaps we take ourselves for granted, and the time we have… to dream, to explore, to discover. To just relax so we can take in the beauty of the Christmas season. We can get so carried away that we may not have the time to simply enjoy the process, the creativity, the precious moments, and the company.
A tree, no tree. A tree with gifts, a tree with no gifts. It’s okay. It doesn’t matter. The presence of those you love matters. You matter. Your time, energy, and creativity matter. Self-care and self-love matter. And yes, it’s okay to take a time-out. So you can enjoy those simple pleasures and fleeting moments when it’s just you doing something or nothing. Perhaps all we need is some time to ourselves to dream of the past and all of those special memories that touch our hearts.
It’s during solitude that we may long for days gone by. We can’t always have the people we love by our side. And what we perhaps feel at Christmas is a far cry compared to any other time of year. We may miss and long for loved ones who live far away or who are no longer here. Yet, there will always be an invisible thread. Heart-felt ties that bind. To put it another way, strong emotional and spiritual connections will always stand the test of time.
HEAVENLY GIFTS
When we place our faith in God, we find love that provides peace and comfort even during the most trying times. It’s about putting things into perspective, understanding what’s important and what isn’t. It’s about keeping our thoughts and our heart-space in sync. Locked into love, always.
Maybe you were fortunate to have had a house full of guests. However, over the years, people came and went. Some have left this earthly realm, others moved far away, while others simply moved on. And now you reminisce about the fond memories of Christmases past. The season can usher in joy, but it can also usher in sadness. Especially for those who have lost someone special. This is perhaps a reminder to treat those missing their loved ones with patience, kindness, and understanding.
Not everyone has a close family, not everyone lives just a few hours away from those they love, and not everyone has mobility or the means to travel. Everyone’s life is different. Complicated and challenging situations can arise in our lives. If you find yourself in this space, you are not alone. This time of year isn’t easy for everyone. Sometimes there’s this feeling of loneliness even when you are in a room filled with the people you love.
We choose to walk in faith with a hopeful heart. And in a very personal space… our heart-space we believe. We choose to adopt a new way of thinking. This changes our perspective, which changes everything. Life always delivers beautiful gifts. Gifts of peace, joy, and love, each magically flowing in and out of our lives, but always within reach. When embracing the true meaning of Christmas, what we unwrap and discover is the beauty of hidden blessings.
MAGICAL MOMENTS
Christmas is indeed a magical time of year, filled with love and joy. When we’re in the spirit of love, everything flows naturally, which allows for the hidden blessings to unfold before us. Why waste time fixating on what you don’t have, on all the things that no longer matter, when you can dream about the gifts life has yet to offer? Trust there’s a greater plan playing out, orchestrated by a loving God. Even when things don’t entirely go the way you expected. Everything we go through teaches us something valuable. It’s the beauty of life. When things weigh heavily on our hearts and minds, it’s just a reminder to trust and acknowledge that there’s an ebb and flow to life. All we have to do is catch the wave and go with the flow.
When tuned into peace and harmony, we feel balance within, and in this space of calm, we discover what’s important and what isn’t. Things will always work out in our favor when we simply let go of all the things that no longer nurture our souls. If it doesn’t bring joy and peace, it’s time to let it go. Life is short, and time is precious.
Take a timeout to evaluate everything in your life. What needs to stay and what needs to go? It’s important to use your time and energy wisely so you can attract the beautiful gifts, the hidden blessings. This time of year gives all of us an opportunity to do just that. To reflect on all the authentic gifts of Christmas. The gift of life – the gift of time – the gifts of love, peace, and joy. The key is in having a grateful heart, remembering to count all of your blessings, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.
Christmas—that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but it will always be a day of remembrance. A day we think of everything we have ever loved.
Warm holiday wishes, full of love, with plenty of hugs and kisses. Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas.
♥️