In today's world, Christmas is complicated; a sometimes impossible balance between 'shoulds' & 'oughts' and the effort to draw attention away from yourself and your perfect to-do list, to truly bless others. If the commercial world were to be believed, it is only about the perfect house light display, the perfect Christmas tree, and the perfect gifts, perfectly wrapped. It leads us on a false path to perfection. But we can change all that, just by shifting our perspective, by giving ourselves permission to give grace and mercy. We can embrace the challenge to shake off 'requirements' and relish the true meaning of Christmas.
If you embrace the challenge to shake off the “requirements” of this busy season in favor of relishing the true meaning of this holiday, you’ll be glad you did. And you just might find that the lessons you put into practice will become a habit year round! It may not be a commercially perfect Christmas, but it will be praised-filled.
As you watch the commercials on TV, as you pass by store windows, as you listen to the car radio, remember what's important.... being together, sharing time and giving love. It's about giving back to your community, helping others. And if you do nothing else this Christmas, say a prayer for someone hurting. As Helen Steiner Rice said... "peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas everyday".