Many who know me, know that I love Christmas. I start putting my decorations up after my birthday (November 8th). I love the music, I love the lights, I love the stories and spirit of the season. I love that we have a holiday dedicated to celebrating a birthday, this alone gives me permission to love birthdays too!
But, this year something happened...
I hate presents. Don't get me wrong I really do love presents, but during this time a year it seems so ridiculous.
I love making my parents and Tay's parents their calendar each year. It has meaning and is something they love. They get to see pictures of their families all year long. I find joy making them. I find joy making neighbor gifts, going and telling my neighbors and ward members Merry Christmas and letting them know that we care about them. I find joy spending time with my family and friends, eating good food, playing games and making memories. But, what is with all the presents!?!
Have we really sunk down so low that our children have to go back to school competing with one another on who got the most or best? Have we sunk so low that we go thousands of dollars in debt to get the biggest or bestest?
Christmas is about the birth of our Savior! Showing our love and giving isn't a bad thing at all. If you came to my house you would see presents under the tree, but have we forgotten why we are getting these presents? Have we forgotten for what purpose we buy and wrap them? Have we forgotten for who we celebrate this season for?
I am not preaching because I know this more than you. I am on my soap box because I found myself getting caught up in the presents and I stopped and realized that the spirit of Christmas was not what I was feeling. I was feeling anxious and grumpy.
I don't want a holiday I wait for all year to become something dreaded. I don't want it to be a burden or a hassle, but instead a wonderful beautiful time full of love and Christ.
So may we each stop and think about those gifts we are buying and think of the love behind it. Think of what we can do for others and think of what memories we can make with the ones we love.
Merry Christmas my lovely family and friends! May the spirit of Christmas be with you this Christmas Season and may the Spirit of Christ be with you all year long.
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