‘OH, the Weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful and since we’ve no place to go Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! It doesn’t show signs of stopping so Let Us Read! Let Us Read! Let Us Read!
And while we are enjoying our time in front of the fire, let us also enjoy a memory or two and a rousing Christmas passage or two to keep your spirits bright and bring some laughter to ease that stress of shopping and trying to save those outside lights from that last blast of light breezes.
“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” By Maya Angelou
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – Andy Rooney
Maybe, if nothing else, what we need to remember is the true meaning of Christmas. It’s the stories we tell again and again that matters most.
Perhaps we should just enjoy Christmas through the eyes of children. Those precious moments are truly special and last such a short time. Children see the magic adults have lost.
Tracy Posillico probably expresses this sentiment so perfectly, “Christmas brings so much joy, excitement and laughter into the lives of these little people. It is simply magical. The way their eyes light up when they see Santa, their happiness as they turn on the Christmas tree lights each day, their enthusiasm when they open gifts. The joy in their hearts is something that we can literally feel. We witness them believing!
Although we are reminded of these special times during Christmas, we often experience it all year if we just take the time to listen, to feel and to believe because these are the memories we will always remember and the moments that make life so special!”
If you have ever witnessed a child during the Christmas season, you can’t help but believe there is nothing so innocent as a child during the Christmas season. Everything seems spectacular to a child. Maybe Larry Wilde had it right when he said, “Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.”
The Christmas tree is the symbol that children know is the exact moment when Christmas starts. They look forward to it every year and their eyes light up as the lights are turned on for the first time to make it a memorable moment each and every season. And they love to light it up every night; and for some it needs to stay lit every day all day long.
The children become so excited to see containers of decorations opened. They pull everything out like it’s a rare gem that needs to be put in just the right place in order for it to shine, whether it is some store-bought ornament that glitters or the homemade ornament they made last year or the year before. Some of these memories of past ornaments are what last a lifetime. Some children are more traditional and like things exactly where they were the year before and others want to change things up a bit, finding a new spot for the decoration. Watching this makes for a great beginning to the season.
Can we forget the Christmas movies? How many of us look forward to watching them every Christmas? They are even more special when we can watch them with a child and see their eyes light up with the magic. Whether you like the traditional of Rudolph, White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas or the newer Hallmark movies you create everlasting family memories of the family cuddled together enjoying the time together.
Lest we not forget the Christmas play at church that is another exciting part for a child. Here they get to play the part of Mary, Joseph, a cow, or Angels singing. Everyone applauds as they retell the story of the true meaning of Christmas. With a potluck that includes a table full of desserts afterward, the play is a family favorite among the kids.
Christmas cards may not really be on the list of favorites among children, but they lend a sense of closeness between family and friends, no matter the distance. Children often enjoy looking at the pictures on the cards that come. Holiday memories. Isn’t that what Christmas creates?
We also can’t forget that school holiday every child looks forward to which brings each and every child a renewed sense of feeling. What better way to celebrate Christmas than playing in the snow? What could be more relaxing than that? Snow to adults is not the greatest thing in the world but to a child, it’s an ever-growing playground where snow angels and snowman come to life and amazing sledding opportunities bolster the spirits.
“All of these things add to the season, but still, nothing compares to the ultimate reason for Christmas and that’s the day Christ was born. I think that’s when you really get to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. They love that babe in a manger and love to have the story of Christmas read.
It’s not a controversy to them, it’s merely Jesus and his story. A story that so long ago brought us all hope. Sure, they might not understand the entire meaning depending on their age, but they do understand there’s something special about this particular babe who has songs and stories written about him. He’s special and worth celebrating.”
Who can’t enjoy the memories of Christmas songs, caroling and freezing, the hot chocolate or just the background music playing in the background while you shop? How many times have you hummed or sang along with that dearly loved song on the radio? Some of the best memories are the family singing Frosty and Rudolph while they journey the neighborhood to adore those wonderful colorful mesmerizing lights.
Who can be a scrooge when you see the delight in not just a child’s eyes, but the eyes of every adult journeying at night just to view the wonderful Christmas lights and displays? How many family memories have been made because of this nightly journey?
The house all decorated, the lights, songs all add a new energy along with the anticipation of Christmas day but nothing can ever replace the energy or gift we were all given that night. Make your life special tonight and every night this Christmas season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.