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The Spirit of Christmas
This time of year seems to bring out the very best and the very worst in people. Have you noticed? If you're naturally a cheerful kind of person, you seem to shine even brighter during this Season of Love. If you're somewhat curmudgeonly, you may tend to see the holidays as a chore to be endured and "gotten through."
I gave away all of my Christmas decorations over a year ago. A friend of mine was heading to France on a mission trip and I wanted to do something to help raise money for the endeavor. I didn't have any cash to give her, but she was having a yard sale and I had a ton of stuff I could donate!
Many people have been rather astonished that I gave away my artificial Christmas tree and almost every ornament I had collected, along with a ton of other decorations. For me, Christmas isn't in those "things." The joy, love, and the very essence of Christmas is in my heart and in my soul. I don't need all the reminders of what Christmas means to me. I carry it with me every day in everything I do.
So, today I made a Christmas Prayer Chain. You remember making those red and green chains when you were a kid, don't you? I always loved them! I put my friends and loved ones names on the slips of paper, then loop them together and hang them around my house.
I also do something a bit different. I include the names of people I'm not fond of or who I have difficulty with for one reason or another. Christmas is the Season of Forgiveness, Change and Transformation, too.
I don't need a Christmas tree to remind me what the meaning of Christmas is all about.
I gave away all of my Christmas decorations over a year ago. A friend of mine was heading to France on a mission trip and I wanted to do something to help raise money for the endeavor. I didn't have any cash to give her, but she was having a yard sale and I had a ton of stuff I could donate!
Many people have been rather astonished that I gave away my artificial Christmas tree and almost every ornament I had collected, along with a ton of other decorations. For me, Christmas isn't in those "things." The joy, love, and the very essence of Christmas is in my heart and in my soul. I don't need all the reminders of what Christmas means to me. I carry it with me every day in everything I do.
So, today I made a Christmas Prayer Chain. You remember making those red and green chains when you were a kid, don't you? I always loved them! I put my friends and loved ones names on the slips of paper, then loop them together and hang them around my house.
I also do something a bit different. I include the names of people I'm not fond of or who I have difficulty with for one reason or another. Christmas is the Season of Forgiveness, Change and Transformation, too.
I don't need a Christmas tree to remind me what the meaning of Christmas is all about.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by OWiseOne on -
Oh Merri, I am not surprised at all...you have always had the essence of Christmas in your heart year round...Christmas is not about the presents, but the presence, its about love, caring and connection, and giving of yourself. You have always been that to me and others, Thank you for the reminder that it is also a season of transformation, no matter where we have been we can always start anew and live a life of faith, grace, and truth.
....I hope your holiday season is filled with the joy and blessings of friendship, family, and Peace.
I am most grateful to have you in my life,
Love always, Marilyn
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Permalink Reply by Merri Hiatt on -
Marilyn,
You are such a dear friend and I know that you, too, carry the Spirit of Christmas in your heart all year long. Blessings to you and your family and an abundance of good wishes for the new year!
Love,
Mer
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