People tend to get caught up in the gift-buying, traveling and money spent during Christmas, but really all that should matter is love. For me, there is a lot of love to give this Christmas, and a lot to be thankful for. Why waste this special holiday stressing when this is the perfect time to reflect and be joyful? Take in the little moments and the people around you and remember why we used to be excited as children when Christmas rolled around.
Christmas decorations are in my top favorite details of the holiday, and I hope you agree. The twinkling lights, the way communities will go out of their way to adorn city streets and public places with garland, kids’ smiles when they see Santa, Christmas trees dressed in ornaments — there’s just something about seeing Christmas decorations that makes me feel warm. I wish that I could bottle up that feeling and keep it with me year-round, but so goes the magic of the season.
The other night, Ryan and I drove around neighborhoods just looking at lights and admiring the effort families put in to be festive. It’s a simple thing, looking at Christmas lights, but to us, it meant the world. Small moments like this when you’re spending time with those you love are oh so special, and you never know how many of the moments you have. Take them all in and drive around looking at lights.
This brings me to my next favorite part about Christmas: Spending time with friends and family and reminding them how much you love them. Please text, call, visit or write a letter to your loved ones just to tell them you’re thinking of them and that you’re thankful for them. Buying gifts is a great gesture, but being intentional in their lives and showing how much you care goes so much further. I’m thankful for my friends that are always there to pick me up, my family whom I love with every ounce of my soul, my work family at AY Media Group for being so dedicated to providing Arkansas with great resources and my Savior who has allowed me to have so much to be thankful for. It’s easy to take advantage of the time you have with those around you, but I’m telling you to cherish every single moment, and Christmas is the perfect time to do so.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
“God with us,” is something I’ve been leaning on a lot this past year. So much has happened and has pushed me to limits I didn’t know I had, but Christmas is a strong reminder that He is with us, and He is the reason.
Let love show in everything you do this Christmas and don’t stop loving even when Christmas is over. Remember why we have Christmas and how lucky we are to be able to celebrate the reason for the season. Don’t fall victim to holiday stress when there is so much to be joyful about. Leave your worries at the door, enjoy a mug of hot cocoa and, most importantly, hold your loved ones a little tighter.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
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