Merry Christmas, friend. As I write this today, I’m curled up with a glass of eggnog, next to a roaring fire, thinking of all things Christmas. White Christmas is playing once again in the background. I’ve been listening to Christmas carols play for weeks on end; I usually start listening in late October. Somehow, by December 26th, the music has gone, and my heart feels a sadness as if I’ve said goodby to a dear friend. I’m nostalgic that way. As I think of nostalgic things, I want to leave one last Christmas gift for you.
Live in the moment
As you gather with friends and family this Christmas, I encourage you to live in the moment. So often we are caught up in picture taking, the urge to create memories, or fit in all the things. When the day or evening has passed, sometimes we feel as if we missed it, or we didn’t engage, or that it all went by too fast. That can often be because we are forcing the moments, trying so hard to capture each one for posterity.
There’s nothing wrong with taking photos and making memories. But when we think of days gone by, memories made happen organically. They’re never forced, and rarely rushed. Photos can be good reminders of the fun times and laughter shared. But when capturing every moment becomes the focus of the day or evening, something gets lost in experiencing them in their natural state.
My Christmas gift to you would be the encouragement to live in the moment; experience them, feel them, revel in them.
Experience the wonder of Christmas
Every Christmas seems to be filled with awe and wonder, even as an adult. It feels like a new experience each time I see the twinkling of lights, or hear the peeling of church bells. Something within me comes alive in a way unlike any other time of year. The first snowfall, the first notes of The Christmas Song, the first taste of frosted sugar cookies.
My Christmas Gift for you would be an encouragement to experience again the wonder of Christmas. Whether it’s a simple drive to view the lights with carols playing on the radio, or taking a winter weather walk in the snow, find a moment before the season passes to step outside of the hustle and bustle, and really experience the season.
Activate your senses
My final Christmas gift for you would be the encouragement to activate all of your senses this Christmas season. There are so many sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and feels; take them in. Take them all in. Store them up in your heart and save them for a rainy day.
The smell of fresh baked cookies cooling on a rack. The aroma of a home cooked meal ready to be shared with loved ones. The fragrance of pine as it fills the house.
The twinkle of lights on your Christmas tree in the evening glow. Green wreaths and garlands hung from front doors and porches. Packages and box wrapped beautifully, ready to be delivered and shared.
The first notes of Silent Night. Church bells wringing from the bell tower of the local Cathedral. Your favorite Christmas movie playing while you work.
Chocolate fudge. Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. Pecan pie, banana pudding, and cranberry sauce.
And the feels…all the feels. Feel the warmth of a scarf wrapped around your neck, wool gloves or mittens on cold hands, a felt hat shielding you from the cold. Feel the joy, feel the love, feel the wonder of it all and experience it all anew.
Thank you for sharing your December with us. Thank you for allowing us to share ours with you. We wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, and love, and all the memories your heart can contain!
John and Billie
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