and there are so many sad faces...
- Money is tight...
- Loved ones are spending their Christmas in Heaven...
- Those "around" you are mentioning the "cool" things they know they are getting...
- People you want to spend the day with have only limited time to spare...
- You don't have money for the things you would love to get people...
- You know your gifts to others will bring disappointment, even though they will try not to show it...
- There is so few days left to prepare and you feel overwhelmed...
- Life has brought changes into your life and holiday's only make that change more apparent and harder to bear...
- ...
These are a few of the things that I know personally are affecting those around me and myself this Christmas year. It breaks my heart and actually brings tears to my eyes knowing and seeing how sad a "holiday" has made others feel. There are so many expectations associated with this "holiday"... gifts, smiles, laughter, food... The expectations don't seem like a big thing if you take them one by one... til you combine them with the "holiday".
I know there are those reading this that say this "holiday" isn't about what you get or give, it is about the birth of Christ, God's gift to man, etc.... Yes, you are right!!! But... as joyous as that is & as wonderful as that is... we are all human... we all have wants, desires, yearnings for something "more" to give, "more" to receive, on this day of the year!
With tears in their eye & one of those dang fake smiles on their face, I have had friends mention to me that they weren't going to let "circumstances" and "things" get in the way of their Christmas celebration. That they would celebrate with their whole heart Jesus's birthday & what that has meant for them and their lives!! That the gifts wouldn't matter, that the certain recipe not being made wouldn't matter, that others would be looking down from Heaven!! I know these people and I know they believe the things they mentioned!! I know the people will do their darnedest best to make that true!! But... I also know... that those "things" WILL affect their day! That those "things" WILL make their heart heavy on the day we celebrate Jesus's birth!
There are no easy answers... I can say and I WILL pray for them - and of course for myself and my family!... I can say they will be in my thoughts & I will reach out to them on that day! But... I can not take away that fake smile except for but a moment, I can not make the tears ones of joy, except for but a moment, I can not bring them laughter from the heart, except for but a moment... But damn it! THOSE MOMENTS COUNT!!! So............ REACH OUT people!! Give a SMILE! Give a HUG! Give some PRAYERS! Give some of your TIME!
Make those moments happen!!
BTW: My reply to each of the people mentioned above...."Are you daft?! Of course those things will affect your day ya Goof!" .....There's a smile... there's a laugh... just for a moment...
3 comments:
brilliant and true - thank you :)
As a former counselor I can tell you that holidays are profoundly difficult for many people. It's important to focus on the positive but it's impossible to ignore the obvious difficulties of life. We all strive to find a balance of the two. Setting priorities helps but even then we sometimes agonize over unmet ones. We've taught our grandchildren that Jesus got three gifts so they also will get three. Each one "represents" the gifts given to Jesus. Gold symbolizes wealth...something they want but don't need. Frankincense was a perfume used in sacrifices and the gift should be from the heart, usually handmade. And myrrh was a perfume for embalming so the third gift is something useful. I think if we "limited" children more than we do they would appreciate more the things we do. I think it also helps that they know ahead of time the number of gifts they will be given - their expectations are met that way. blessings, marlene
Marlene,
My families part of the note was: Other years we have always mixed homemade with store bought, and $ spent on each child was never more then $50.00. This year my teen (16) is the only one still living at home, but we have the added bonus of having 2 grandchildren. :) We decided to do a Secret Santa with limits on $ spent.(I have gotten a few added things for the teen for our Christmas alone, homemade and store bought is under $10.00) Grandchildren:gifts to them will all be homemade except for 1 item each under $10.00(my normal gift). The older children took this in stride. The youngest at home was excited & has already chosen the items to gift her receiver, etc. BUT... the constant "I'm getting an IPOD, I'm getting a cell phone, I'm ..." that she has been bombarded with at school has really brought her spirits down. She is still enthusiastic for our type of Christmas, but there seems to be a hint of melancholy showing itself lately. Every year she enjoys our celebrations and I am sure this year will be no different, but...I am worried once the holiday vacation is over the "I got's" will bring her down. I guess. I have found over the years,the teens are the hardest "hit" during Christmas time with the comparisons of celebrating.
I really like that you shared what each gift represented. I had heard of the 3 gift choice, but had never heard much about the meaning behind each one. :)
God Bless you at this time of year & always! :)
Linda
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