Monday, December 12, 2011

The True Meaning of Christmas

Pin It When I looked out my window the other morning, I was greeted with a dusting of snow, glittering like slivers of diamond cuttings...and the world seemed new yet again.


Ah, snow.

You know, it seems that it happens every year...I make a steaming cup of hot chocolate and get comfortable on my Love Sac, each time Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer shows on TV. When I hear the familiar sound of Burl Ives’ voice floating about the house I feel it, it is evidenced in the lights that festoon neighborhood where every tree becomes a light show and every bush is a candelabra draped in purest white.

What is it about this time of year that brings this sudden euphoria and feeling of giving and love? It is because we hear the radio stations jammed with Christmas songs? Is it from the distinct feel of giving around us as evident the newly fallen snow? What is it that makes us all a little more patient and a little more forgiving of each others’ mistakes and shortcomings?

I firmly believe that this sense of joy does not come from presents, it doesn’t come from the snow, or even the music. Yes, each of these may attribute to the real reason, but in essence I believe that Christmas comes from the feeling we feel deep inside our hearts. It is the love of family, the remembrance of those whom have come in - and perhaps out of - our lives but who have made a distinct mark, one that helped to shape us into the individuals which we are - and the type we have yet to become.

I believe that it was Dr. Suess who summed it up best with his character, the old Grinch, who came to a sudden realization that Christmas was much more than the things we buy. In Dr. Suess’ own words:


“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, ‘till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”


The gifts we give to each other are simple expressions of love we have for those around us, a mirroring of the greatest gift that one gave to each of us, which came on a quiet night when only the shepherds watched. This is the real meaning of Christmas.

May this remembrance remain always in our hearts and minds; helping us to all be a little more patient, a little more caring, and all willing to give a little more love to our fellow man.

I decided to include a little playlist to help you to get into the Christmas spirit - that is if you're not already there - it's also on the sidebar. It starts off pretty mellow, picks up in the middle, and then is mostly just fun, kid-type Christmas songs at the end. I'd have to say that the very last one is a new favorite. If you'd like the code so you could add this playlist to your own site, send me an email and I'll get it to you.


13 comments:

Mindee@ourfrontdoor said...

Sigh. Even I - an avowed snow hater - kinda like the stuff in December. Christmas is special indeed.

mamahasspoken said...

Something about the weather and snow that helps to put one in the spirit of the season. Maybe that's why I'm having a hard time keeping it this year........

Kalei's Best Friend said...

The Grinch is who he is.. Maybe he is such a grinch because some if none don't get his reasoning...I know I certainly do...

Tracy P. said...

THAT is a play list and a half! Awesome. I have some CDs that I need to upload so I can have a playlist with all my favorites.

I chuckled when I saw Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas? on there. Last year I sang that solo in our church's Christmas musical. A couple of other times I have also been given the "sad" solo, which just acknowledges that there are years when each of us has to ask the question you just answered. Anyway, this year there was no sad solo (YAY!), and our family sang that song with made up lyrics a few times. Someone told me last week that that one had been their favorite solo ever. So ya never know!

Unknown said...

AMEN and amen! Thank you for sharing this post!

Rachel said...

Christmas is a time of year when (hopefully) we tend to think more of others than ourselves. Anytime that happens, it is magical.

Merry Christmas my friend! I hope the season continues to be magical for you.......

Justin said...

Great post! You really said it well. And thanks for the playlist. I'm loving it.

Stacey said...

Okay...I couldn't read any further until I found out what the heck a "love sac" was. I googled it...and immediately put it on my list for Santa! I don't think I was good enough this year to get it, which is a okay. I probably wouldn't be able to get out of it.

tammy said...

Yes, it's all about the feelings, the memories and the love. I love everything about it. And I love your playlist.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I loved this post. I have to speak in church on Christmas day. I hope you don't mind if I quote part of this.

Stef said...

True that. I love Christmas. No, like I really love it. ALl of it! The good. The bad. And the better.

Mindy said...

Thank you for the reminder.
Sometimes it's all too easy to forget the reason for the the season...

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

If you ask Cole, he'll tell you Christmas is about forgiveness. This is usually after he's done something naughty. :•/

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...