It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas. Some people love it, some people hate. Personally I love it. I love that people everywhere are simply excited and happy regardless of how stressed they are. Families get to see each other, cousins reunited, DELICIOUS food, presents, and SO much more! But what I love the most is pure magic of Christmas, it's like everyone is a child again and for a moment everything is pure, bright and happy. My best memories as a child are with my family during Christmas, laughing with my cousins and eating way too much sugar waiting anxiously for Santa to come to my house.

I love the coziness of sitting in my living room sipping hot chocolate under the lights of the Christmas tree. I love wrapping presents, and picking out gifts for those that I hold dear to my heart. I love the celebration at church, celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior, the only reason we are here. I love the music, the simplicity of everything. I memorized a poem when I was in sixth grade that summarized so well why I love the Christmas season: 

Live Christmas Everyday by Helen Steiner Rice 

Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year,

More than a season of joy and good cheer,

Christmas is really God’s pattern for living

To be followed all year by unselfish giving.

For the holiday season awakens good cheer

And draws us closer to those we hold dear,

And we open our hearts and find it is GOOD

To live among men AS WE ALWAYS SHOULD         

But as soon as the tinsel is stripped from the tree

The spirit of Christmas fades silently

Into the background of daily routine

And is lost in the whirl of life’s busy scene.

And all unawares we miss and forego

The greatest blessing that mankind can know

For if we lived Christmas each day, as we should,

And made it our aim to always do good,

We’d find the lost key to meaningful living

That comes not from GETTING

But from unselfish GIVING.

So here is my random thought of the day for you: Don't get wrapped up in the craziness and commercialism of Christmas this year. Take a step back and see it through the eyes of a child. See the wonder, the magic, the simplicity and find the joy in giving again. Remember that the GREATEST gift we could ever ask for came in a manger so many years ago, and that in itself is the only reason we need to celebrate! Maybe you're not like me, and won't play Christmas music before Thanksgiving, and can't find joy in the holidays. But I promise if you try, He will help you find it. Enjoy this season, and Merry Christmas!