Christmas Spirit

Christmas come and gone but the memories forever.

Everyone who knows me, knows that Christmas is my favorite favorite holiday. In fact I tell them all too often, lol, but it's true. I can't put my finger on why exactly, but I'm going to try in as short amount of words as possible.

Each year we head to church on Christmas Eve for the uplifting celebration of Jesus's birth. What a glorious day that was, and a time to celebrate. It always bring me great joy to know that someone, somewhere is looking out for me, had died for me, is walking this life with me. And it all started with the birth of a baby, a baby sent from God.

Christmas is about Hope and Faith

Christmas Eve is at my house and has been for well over a decade now. It all started out with a friendship when I was 10 years old with a little girl named Michelle. Soon after our families became friends and we became like sisters. If you do the math, that was 22 years ago. Over the last year my 'sister' and I have hardly spoken, let alone seen each other. Simply our priorities were wrong, and we've somewhat let it go. Christmas Eve is a time to all get together with our extended family, and as tradition has it, our 'extended family' join us despite our lack of involvement recently. With good food, carolling, and lots of laughs. We both agreed that we needed to set our priorities right again for the new year.

Christmas is about Rebuilding and Renewing Friendships.

Taylor in the Chocolate Fountain

Each morning we all wake together and race down the stairs to see if Santa came. The stockings are hung by the fireplace, and the next morning they are filled to the brim by a jolly ol person. The kids are filled with delight as they see the room magically transformed with Santa's surprises.

Chrismtas is about Magic no matter what age you are...

After our Santa gifts are complete it's tradition to have a tiny junk food breakfast. In fact every year Toaster Strudell it seems to be. Last year I went the Pop Tart route and got an earful. Afterwards we head over to the tree where the family gifts are randomly placed. Anthony wore the Santa hat and handed out the gifts. We all took our time opening each one and marvelling in joy each gift brought.

Christmas is about the joy of Giving

align="left">Seeing the looks on each others faces it precious. It makes everything building up to Christmas worth it. Seeing the looks and expressions of children, is even more delightful. It's like living life through them and going back in time.

Christmas is about Re-visiting the child in you.

After our presents are all done, it's time for a proper and rather large breakfast. With bacon, eggs, toast, and goodies a plenty. We all sit and eat together and talk about the morning...

Christmas is about Appreciation

Then we head over to my mom's place. Sometimes it switches locations, (mine) but it's not the house that houses the family but the people in it. What's special is we all get together. For a big family like mine, there are lots of mixed personalities, some like oil and water, some like butter and a microwave, but despite it all, noone in my family would ever miss getting together for Christmas. We put aside our differences, and cherish each other and how lucky we are to all be together.

Christmas is about Peace and Love

This year my Dad spent many hours working on a special project for his two grand-daughters. A trunk that can start off as a toy box and grow with them through the years to be a Chest. He did this with love, he did this because he wanted something special for them to last a lifetime, and it is beautiful.

Christmas is about Thinking of others

Christmas means so much to me, there are not enough words. But it's more than presents and food...it's friends, family, smiles and laughter. Memories and sweet nothings.

Christmas is about Happiness, Kindness and Care

So you see there is a lot to Christmas or whatever holiday it is you celebrate, that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you can take something from the holiday and use it all year long. I try my best to use all things that Christmas brings and keep it up through the year, and though we faulter, if we remember the spirit of the holiday, we'd all be better off.

I hope you had a Happy Holiday, that you found the same Spirit that I do each and every year.