Oh, the classic tale of a small child touching the hearts of many. It truly amazes me how that innocence can warm our hearts, and remind us of what matters. You know, it’s a lot like Christmas. There's ’just something about that modest, irreproachable look in a child’s eyes that can bring a person to believe there is magic in the world still, just as that one moment of total and complete peace and serenity at Christmas time can fill you with steadfast hope to last the whole year. I hope these elements of Christmas can be restored to your world.
Christmas isn’t just a day or an event. It is a spirit, a renewal of faith in humanity as we come together in the formation of communities all across the world, and feeling, even if only for a brief moment, that no matter the troubles that lie before us, we can face them together.
Christmas is a time to celebrate the promise that stems from new life, new hope, and new love because in new beginnings we are reminded of our roots, our basics, the simple things in life that will always hold the most value.
Yet while we celebrate fresh opportunities throughout the Christmas season, it is also about timelessness and tradition. Whether, it be your family's ritual in decorating the tree, Christmas recipes or even taking the time to perfect your rendition of A Christmas Carol; there is a sense of belonging and stability that comes from that tradition.
Christmas is a time of remembrance. It is a belief in the sanctity of life and a reminder that the most important things in our lives are not things, they are people. It is the recognition that life can change in an instant, and you never know how many more opportunities you will have to tell someone how much they mean to you, so why not tell them now? It gives us an understanding that no matter how separated you may feel from your loved ones, they are always with you. Ever present in your heart and the impacts they have made in your life. Christmas is a time to honour those loved ones lost, to take a moment to cherish the best memories they blessed you with, and know they would have wanted you to remember them with a smile, to carry on their legacy by living life to the fullest and being all that you can be in the face of adversity.
Christmas is a time to reach out. It is the embodiment of empathy and compassion. It is taking a moment to give freely of yourself, taking pride and being filled with joy, knowing you may be the reason someone smiled this Holiday season. You as one person may not mean something significant to the world, but you being your one person, might mean the world to somebody.
At Christmas, there is motivation to do good in the world, to chase your dreams and in doing so, inspire others to do the same. It is having faith in your darkest hour and grace enough to be humble in your finest.
Christmas is a time of hope; a feeling of triumph. Confidence that even the highest mountains can be overcome and that the strongest of hates can be broken down and conquered. It is a belief in yourself, in the people around you, in possibility.
Christmas is a time to be thankful and to appreciate all that you have been blessed with. It is a time to be thankful for struggle, for the strength it teaches us and the lessons we learn from it; recognizing that it is the dark times in our lives that make the good times worth so much.
Christmas is a time of love. A time to be surrounded by family and fellowship, sharing not only tangible gifts but the gifts within your heart.
