Blue Happy Living

Today I had a blog ready to go up at 7am this morning. I blocked it from posting because I had a restless night with lots on my mind. It took me all day to get my head wrapped around what I wanted to say. I’m sure some of what I have to say those involved will know I’m talking about them. For others these words might strike a tender spot in your heart. I just hope you all understand this blog is written with love, hope and spirit of the season.

I’m a Christian and this holiday coming up on December the 25th is based on the birth of Jesus Christ. I love Christmas because it’s a holiday that brings out the best in most people. It’s not about the newest and latest electronics or child’s toy. It’s not about having Christmas decorations exploded all over your house and yard. It’s about the spirit of all that is good. To give to someone you don’t normally give to. It’s about the spirit of hope that sometimes in this world seems deflated. Most of all its about loving all people no matter what or who they are, love them regardless of their faith or belief, love them no matter if they have or don’t have the latest of things. I’m a christian and my faith tells me to love all because God created them all.

I’ve heard some pretty negative remarks about the holidays lately. I thought I would share them with you and my idea of how to fix it.

1. My spouse wants me to get in the Christmas spirit and I just don’t feel like it.  I’ve had a crappy few months and I’m just not in the Ho Ho mood.  MY RESPONSE: Well this holiday is upon you and we are never promised another day after the one we live today.  I would hate to know that my spouse ask me to do something so simple and I didn’t honor it.  Each day is precious and we can’t waste our time being sad or depressed about what has already happened.  If we do that we will waste the precious time in our future trying to fret over our past.  Love and live each day as if it’s your last.  Looking back only defeats the present and future of our lives.
2. I hate Christmas this year we don’t have money to buy any gifts and its 5 days until Christmas.  The best I can do is the Dollar Tree and $50 doesn’t go far on gifts for 2 college kids.  MY RESPONSE: If you haven’t already explain this to your 2 almost grown adult children.  Then go to the Dollar tree and pick two stockings (if you don’t already have 2 stockings).  By things at the dollar tree that they can use in their college dorm or in their car.  Thats 25 things a piece, trust me you can find 25 things in the store.  Go home and wrap each item and fill their stocking up.  How fun on Christmas morning to watch them open all 25 items.  It really isn’t about the gift it’s about the love of being together.  This works for any age or person in your family.
3. I hate that Christians push their holiday on me and don’t respect others beliefs and traditions. MY RESPONSE: I know their are SOME people out there that push their beliefs in others face. We aren’t all like that! Yes Christmas for the believers in Christ celebrate his birth at this time of year.  It’s been that way for many years.  This holiday as many others do have 2 sides to it and I choose to celebrate my saviors birth while others celebrate only the Santa side of the holiday.  For me its a day to remind me of the promise of a Messiah that came to save me from my sins.  A child that was born to give me ever lasting life with God and my loved ones that go before me.  I do buy my family gifts and I do put up  a tree.  My kids loved and believed in Santa (and they still do if they want gifts) but I always made sure they understood the most important story was the one our bible tells us about.  When they were faced with non believers I would tell them just pray for them and show them love.  After all the entire concept of Christmas is about love and promise.

There are so many other remarks I have heard and struggle with hearing this time of year.  It’s a small time frame we should all put our differences aside and just love each other.  What if we didn’t pass judgement on others for what they do or don’t believe.  The song that comes to my mind is an old childhood favorite that makes so much sense.  Jesus loved the little children, all the children of the world red and yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight.  Jesus loved the children of the world.  Look around we ALL have so many to love. So why not love as he loved!