This is the most wonderful and yet difficult time of the year. We are celebrating new births, anniversaries, family, friendships while others are grieving the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a home and are living in the midst of depression. If you are at a good place in life and experiencing joy and happiness today, you are truly blessed and have much to be grateful for. If you are trying to survive each day or if you are fighting to cope with loss of any kind or you can’t raise your head above water, I have nothing but compassion for your pain and you have my prayers. So, as you are busy buying gifts for your family and friends, don’t forget to remember those going through a difficult time in their lives.
Christmas is not so much about opening presents as it is opening our hearts. An open heart will propel you to think of others. An open heart will cause you to be kind. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. An open heart will allow you to be patient in every circumstance and stop you from judging others based on their outward appearance. An open heart will force you to go out of your way to help another person. After all, we don’t remember days – we remember moments. We will remember the moment someone noticed that you had a need and they did something about it. The best Christmas gifts are not material things but gifts of listening, of showing kindness, of remembering, of visiting, of forgiving and giving of your time. A man’s true wealth is the good he does in this world. You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The happiest people are not those getting more, but those who give more.
As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving. Money can be given but people need you to love them. So spread your love everywhere you go. Mother Teresa said “it’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Give this Christmas without a thought of getting something in return. Enjoy the happiness you will see on the faces of people who receive a gift from you. This is the true Christmas spirit. Christmas is a time for forgetting about self and finding time for others. When you give of yourself, that’s when you will feel the true spirit of Christmas. Don’t wait for other people to be loving, giving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, generous, or friendly – you lead the way. This Christmas be the best giver you can be and make this world a better place than it was before. May you receive all the love and happiness you deserve and may your future be filled with joy, peace and love.
Merry Christmas