WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME
(photo from Pinterest)
What does Christmas mean to me? Sparkling lights and singing carols; children's laughter and excitement; surprises and secrets. Shopping for that gift you know will be the perfect one.
Searching for that certain Santa Claus - the one with a REAL beard! Telling stories from our own childhood, of opening our stockings first, usually a sock rather than a "stocking"; eating the treats we find inside, candy and fruit; and finding small treasures at the bottom.
Listening to the Christmas story - you know the one..."Twas the Night Before Christmas" - all about a jolly old man who dresses in red and comes down our chimney on Christmas Eve to bring us presents; the one we leave cookies and milk for a snack while he unpacks his big heavy bag full of toys and other goodies.
Watching old Christmas movies and listening to holiday music as we go about our daily routines.
Decorating a tree with ornaments collected through the years; and popping popcorn to string around the branches, with tinsel and lights; and maybe a star or an angel at the very top.
Driving around the neighborhood to find the most spectacular house with more lights and decorations than anyone else has.
Baking cookies, pies and cakes, some we save especially for the holidays; it's planning a meal to share with our family and friends.
Anticipating that special day; waiting and longing for it to hurry up and come. It's slowly opening our gifts and savoring the moment we unwrap the one we had always wanted!
Christmas is all this and more...yet, so much more!!
Yes, even the Grinch knows there is much more to Christmas!
Christmas is sharing THE story of a baby who was born in a shed and lay in a manger because there was no place else for His mother to give birth. It's shepherds in a field with their sheep, hearing the voice of an angel announcing the birth of a King; it's wise men coming from afar to see the King everyone was talking about, bringing gifts of Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh. It's the Angel Chorus singing "Glory to God in the Highest" and "Hallelujah!" and "Peace on Earth!"
Christmas is all of this -
but Christmas IS
because of one small child,
born in a manger!
Blogmas 2014
Linking up December 1 - 25
but Christmas IS
because of one small child,
born in a manger!
Blogmas 2014
Linking up December 1 - 25
Loved your post, Barbara....my daughter (4) has been completely enchanted by the story of Jesus' birth. She comes home from nursery every day telling me about it, saying she finds it amazing that no-one gave them a place to stay and that Jesus was born in a stable...it's been just wonderful, truly wonderful, seeing her process all of the information and seeing her revel in the story.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing it in the eyes of our children (and grandchildren!)...the story of the baby Jesus and how he was born in a manger. Love how your daughter finds it amazing that no-one gave them a place to stay...how powerful from the mind of a 4 year old!!
DeleteI love your post! Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I love hearing how other families celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting, Jennifer! I have loved reading the other posts as well. Haven't read all of them; I posted early and the link up wasn't there yet...will be reading more later!
DeleteI enjoyed your post, Barbara. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and I'm glad you keep Yeshua (Jesus) as the focus. It is the time to focus on and worship Him and give Him all the praise He deserves.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting, Gail! As a Christian, yes, we DO keep Jesus as the main focus. Although there are so many other things to distract us...it IS Him that we worship and adore at this time of the year. I love seeing it through the eyes and hearts of the little ones!
DeleteI so enjoyed your post Barbara, I think you perfectly summed up what Christmas is really about. In a world where everything has become so commercialized, it's good to hold on to the real meaning for the holidays. Glad to see others out there who treasure this as much as I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra! We do share that joy and treasure the holidays! Appreciate your commenting!
DeleteWhat a fun writing prompt. It sounds like you're off to an amazing Christmas season. I love driving around looking at the Christmas lights. We pile into the car with hot chocolate and crank up the Christmas tunes and drive forever.
ReplyDeleteSounds like what we love to do, Susan - only in Florida, we'd more likely have a cold drink than hot chocolate!!! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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