Merry Christmas…”Mary, did you know?”
So, here it is, Dec 29th, 2019…Son of a Nutcracker! Where did the time go?! The amazing month of December and all the holidays that go with it are passed. For some of us die-hards, (me) it continues up until New Year’s Eve, when energetically I can feel in my soul, “out with the old” & an excitement of “in with the new”…BUT since it’s the 29th of December, I am still going to write about Christmas!! Yes, to many it’s late, it’s gone, but I say “Bah-Hum-Bug” to that!! Let the tinsel still hang & the sprinkle snow (my favorite) glisten!
It is the taking in, of the Spirit of Christmas that I hold so very dear…Why? I have been asked, oh so many times, because I get a bit “Elf-like” and my “workshop” is on full reindeer mode all month! To me, it’s a time of year that the Spirit of Kindness, Spirit of Giving and overall Faith towards our fellow human is on the rise. I wish the spirit could be with everyone, all year long. Most people I have found don’t really understand the tradition of Christmas… Oh, yes, it’s true! I have asked a lot of peeps and the responses are shocking! So, guess what? I have taken it upon myself to remind everyone about the traditions of Christmas… Oh, yes, you betcha!
Most peeps do not realize the “reason for the season” so, I will refresh memories…as the story goes…For centuries men & women have been seeking God. God came looking for us. His perfect gift for people was the new born king, the baby Jesus. (Note: *No one is forcing a “view” on anyone here, I am simply sharing a story, the reason for the story and the symbols that go with it…so, for nay sayers, perhaps we can all practice some acceptance?” Hmmm? Just a thought) Now, back to the story of Christmas….and so, Jesus, our new born King was birthed in a manger by Mary, a poor girl whom, in her culture, had no rights, no voice. The baby Jesus was born in hay, in a stable, not a palace, and the shepards, were common laborers, they were chosen to be the first witnesses… When God came to earth, he came to the least, the last, the lowest and the lost. These people witnessed the birth of a King, sent here, to protect the weak, speak for those whose voice wasn’t readily heard. He was sent here to teach us love. Nothing more, but to love and care for each other. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think we as a human race are doing so well on this… Jesus never owned a home, never held political office and never made a grab for power. He was a simple man from a poor woman, in a small town. How interesting that he is still considered controversial & a person of interest now, over 2000yrs later?… and yet money (which EVERYONE LOVES & wants regardless of religious views) says; ” In God We Trust”…Let me just say this; Hmmmm…
So let’s chat about the symbols… Symbols are simply something that stir a memory, with out the symbols & traditions, what does the holiday actually become?
The Christmas Tree…it’s always an Evergreen. It symbolizes the promise of eternal life. The practice of cutting it down & putting it back up again, emulates Jesus’s death & resurrection.
The Candy Cane…is fashioned after a sheperd’s staff. The sheperds who witnessed the birth of Jesus. The white & red colors symbolize both purity & the blood of Jesus’s sacrifice.
A Christmas Wreath… is a ring with no beginning and no end. A sign that is eternal, just like God.
A Nativity Scene…the birth of Jesus, the newborn King
It is celebrated because it’s Jesus’s birthday. So, when people are afraid to say “Merry Christmas” it’s like having a birthday party and not mentioning the person to whom it’s in honor. I find it interesting that so many people are offended by Merry Christmas and insist on “happy holidays”…yet, everyone wants presents, a day off from work, holiday pay, paid vacation and stores just want to sell the hek out of merchandise. Ummm, forgive me but is that not the very definition of hypocritical?
(…and don’t get me going on Christmas stuff out in September BEFORE Halloween & Thanksgiving!! It makes me BEYOND cray-cray!)
I recently saw an article online that mentioned a child had been penalized for wearing a T-shirt that said: “The Reason for the Season” and “Merry Christmas” ummm, are you freaking’ kidding me?! That just Toasts my Chestnuts and get’s my Tinsel up! Yes it does!
Here’s the deal… there IS A REASON for the season…It’s Jesus’s birthday! It’s about God giving us the most precious gift of all; LOVE, LOVE, LOVE… that’s it people. It’s not about getting it’s truly about giving…
It’s about the presents we give; Love, Understanding, Inspiration & Hope. That may not seem like much, especially in this crazy “keep up with the Jones’s” world we seemingly live in… BUT if Christmas has become to you, a headache, a hassle etc… Then maybe it’s time to mindfully & consciously take ourselves off the ever rapidly spinning hamster wheel. Maybe we consciously choose to slow down & mindfully we choose to create the pace of the season we want.
Christmas was originally created as a “time of hope” with the gift of love, (Jesus) from God, to give us faith for a better future. Not a time to max a credit card, feel exhausted or irritated. We all have the choice to “choose” how we want to spend our time. Personally, I am not a fan of the Jones’s… they seem (to me) pretty messed up. Maybe it’s a PotLuck dinner instead of formal for 150people? Maybe it’s crazy fun candid pics for a Christmas card instead of $500 perfection in print?
Sometimes, this time of year reminds people of what they don’t have (myself included) someone special to share it with, a job, enough food ect… this is where we can shine our light on each other and lend a hand, give, whatever it is you have…because a smile, a hug, a hot cocoa shared means the world to some, who have so much less. Is that REALLY TOO MUCH to ask of ourselves? Maybe this time of year can be a time when we “aspire to inspire” happiness for ourselves & others?
For me, LESS is actually MORE. More fun, more calm, more expansive. It gives us time to be with those we love. More of the basics… Inspiration, Love, Hope, Kindness & Peace towards all… A little more giving of ourselves instead of tangible items.
If you ask me, ( I am well aware you didn’t, but it’s my blog… Ho, ho, ho)…The Spirit of Christmas is held in our hearts, not in presents. (but I am NEVER giving up Sprinkle Snow!!)
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas & a blessed, safe, healthy and happy New Year!
As always, In Gratitude, with an Open Heart-
xo Madison