So often during the holidays we rush past the moments and into the push for getting them done. The news of so many children and adults lost in a small town have again brought to light that family matters and this day is important. This year our home has a different air to Christmas. For the first time in over a decade our children will be home for Christmas. A blended family, I had chosen to give their other parents Christmas as a concession to keep family peace in Christmas. You see, for a child of a blended family whose families live miles apart, the comings and goings can mean you truly spend time at neither. It seemed we were always traveling during important gatherings, meals, and parties at the opposite home. This year though we are all home in Alabama. The children now teens have work schedules and their other parents as well do not have Christmas off at a new job locale in another state. January is the new December for their gathering so we will have a quiet Christmas at home.
Madison and I have made our Christmas gifts for clients and friends and spent a jolly day or three delivering them to cities near by. It’s been fun to have our son and daughter home to decorate the tree together. Les and I have more than once danced by the light of the tree to Christmas music. Simple things, meaningful moments.
The traditions of celebrating matter to me. Songs sung, music played, smells from the kitchen that all speak of Christmas to those who enter our home or space. As I go out into the stores I see weary faces who seem desperate to buy something, anything that means Christmas to them. Personal testimonies seem to be invoked that say “I have fallen short” as they seek something that gives meaning to their success in life. Buying never fills that gap. Giving does.
Have you noticed that in doing for others we are re-filling our hearts, our souls, and our minds with the needs that others may have that we are blessed with. At the store I watched too many times last week families trying to work out a meager need with even less wage. The need for relief was so evident in the lines of folks who were seeking the 20% off purchase day at the store…hope that that purchase would make the difference. Heartbreaking really…
Simply celebrating. Taking time to do with what we have, to do with less than is in the closet. I find this time of year to be a time of letting go of things, of de-cluttering from my mind and closets those items that have no value in my life but would clothe or warm someone else’s. At the Goodwill store I saw a woman so carefully trying to find 6 plates that matched…and I knew that in my home there were at least 4 sets of dishes..I invited her to follow me home. How much do we need? How much do we hold onto that we no longer need? Celebrate simply by giving, by sharing, by allowing less to be more.
After a weekend of an ill child in our home I had quietly cleaned cabinets and counters and taken away what wasn’t needed anymore. The empty space was liberating and the gift of its presence felt hopeful for this season. Preparing our hearts and minds to focus on what we believe is the ultimate gift…of being allowed to be imperfect and forgiven and loved despite our lack of love somedays for self or others…
This Christmas I ask you to celebrate simply…gather your friends and family round…it doesn’t have to be a meal…coffee, a dessert will do… soup for all…emails, Skype, or calls if you must, but let them know, let them experience Christmas from your heart that they too are ones you count as you count your blessings this season. Celebrating is something we do much less than we’re able…if it takes a holiday to give yourself permission then
