As Told by Linus...
"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." - Linus Van Pelt
My Memories of Christmas
What do you remember from the Christmases of your past?
When I look back on Christmases past, there is a lot more Christmas disappointment than Christmas joy. I could never seem to make the day live up to my expectations!
But there was one year, when my parents threw a neighborhood Christmas party, and we played Christmas music, went caroling, and had apple cider when we got back. And every childhood Christmas season had its moments, I suppose, and one of them was watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.
I also loved going to my grandparents' house, eating my grandmother's home-cooked meals and going to sleep each night with a room full of cousins.
And as an adult, I decided to spread it out a little, and enjoy the entire season, whether things were ideal or not. I realized that it was much easier to enjoy a whole season, than to invest emotionally in only one day.
Once I gave myself permission to enjoy the whole season, I began to create my own good Christmas memories.
Decorating and eating Christmas cookies, lighting Christmas candles and listening to holiday music and watching Christmas movies. It all became special to me!
And once my son came along, just being with him at Christmastime was a guaranteed joy.
What do you remember about Christmas that makes it special? ...
Intuitive Christmas
Instead of a reading this week, I have a message...
Connect if you can to the way the holiday season used to feel when you were a child. Not the adult drama or stress we often feel now, or even any unhappy memories that stand out all too clearly, but the sense of magical anticipation and wonder. The certainty that magic could happen. If we could marry that to the deeper meaning we make of this season as we get older, this next couple of weeks could be truly special!
(photo credit: OnMilwaukee.com)
Wishing you the joy and hope of the season, with a dash of childlike enthusiasm thrown in for good measure!
(picture credit: Flickr)
