My Christmas Heart

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‘Another year is over. And WHAT have I done?’ – so the lyrics go, as an old carol puts it! I struggle with the same question even as we festively celebrate the Lord’s birth.

This is that time of the year when I yearn to share the joy of having Christ in my life to family and friends.

I think I can do this by perhaps, making His Birthday, my priority during this merry season.

And so, I will set up lights, cook meals, invite family and friends and radiate joy.

That was how it was and has been for most of my life….until 48 years ago, when I took a different turn.

I realized that that was not enough. I felt the urge to show Christmas to the little ones, celebrate it and inspire others to join in. I wondered how I can truly express my joy and live it so that others could experience the same magical happiness I feel.

Christmas is a Birthday celebration. It is JESUS’ Birthday! How do I celebrate a birthday? Mine, my children’s, everyone else’s? All these years, Birthdays have meant gifts and cakes, friends, happiness….and Making a Fuss of the Birthday person!

But WHAT has Jesus’ Birthday come to mean? Is it a time that brings chaos to your bank account? A time to sort out family rivalry? A time that leaves one exhausted, cleaning the house and yard? A time you dread?

‘NO,’ I said to myself! Christmas is the time I wish  to express GRATITUDE in my soul for my Savior! My tiredness will be sweet and easy. I will have no regrets in how much I put in. And this time, I will not fail the test!

Every  Christmas nears, I feel a surge of excitement! I plan my Christmas decorations as early as October.

‘The old goes… and the new comes in.’ I remove all clutter that can distract attention from the sceneries I wish to layout. I feel myself in God’s presence, as I prepare the house for Christmas. I don’t work on a structure. I just follow the Spirit’s lead and allow all to flow. My goal is to let everyone feel the Joy,

Peace and Hope that come with the scenes that are built.

MY HOME AT CHRISTMAS…A CHRISMAS VILLAGE

It is easiest to do this at night, when everyone’s asleep. The house is quiet, as beautiful Christmas songs play softly on my earphones. I meditate in prayer, visualize the birth and IMMERSE myself in those moments, AS IF I WAS THERE! That’s when the Magic begins!

The house is a happy mess  during that time but something magical is in my vision, prayer and close contact with God. I see my experience revealed in the scenes I build. Moments before, during and after He was born.

The PROMISE His Birth gives me is a SWEETNESS to my soul! It all starts in  the dark, and then lights bring brightness; music then establishes peace and calm. Hope, Peace and Joy fill every Nativity scene.

Of course, I have FUN! Elves work hard to help St. Nicolas construct toys and wrap them. Reindeer graze among trees in forests where elves groom every tree into perfection. The trees will be fully grown and gifts will be wrapped and placed under them, all perfectly done on that night of Jesus’ birth.

Everyone gathers in excitement. There is food and laughter; stories to share as children sing. All take note of the Star, shining bright and light! And All worries are gone. Jesus will  be born.

I pray that the joy children feel every Christmas eve, anticipating the next day, will remain with them as a seed that grows forever.

How can we NOT Celebrate Christmas?

What MORE can we do to pass on the true message of Jesus to our family and friends?

May your GRATITUDE for His Birth BE SO OVERWHELMING that it TRANSFORMS your Prayer into Beautiful, Exciting Scenes of JOY on His Birth!