Christmas time for giving, caring, celebrating

Merry Christmas to everyone. What does Christmas mean to you? Is it that time of year that you overspend giving the ones you love everything they ask for? Could it be the day you spend with family and give only your time and food? Will Santa come to your wonderfully decorated home?

As a child, I believed in Santa and that he would bring me that special present I would ask him to receive. My children and grandchildren also sat on Santa’s lap and told him what was on their Christmas list. They did not get the whole list but maybe one thing on the list. I tried to teach my children and now grandchildren that it is not how much money was spent on the gift but that it was given out of love, just as God gave his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.

Christmas is a day to share with family and friends. Although some family gatherings may not be pleasant, nonetheless the time spent with loved ones is precious. For the people who have no family to share this day, please know God is sharing this day with you and is always with you so you are never truly alone.

The spirit of Christmas may be hard to accept for those who have lost a loved one especially so close to the holidays. I know only too well the heartbreak of not seeing their face at Christmas. As time goes on the heart ache will be come less and bearable if you asked God to heal your heart. Your memories of your loved one will remain in your heart even when time moves forward.

Yes, for me it is Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays or Xmas. I am a Christian. What does that mean? It means I believe that Jesus Christ was born during this season. Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the Son of God born to Mary and Joseph. Christians celebrate Jesus’s birth on Christmas day. The story is recorded in the book of Luke, chapter 2 verses 1-16, King James version of the Holy Bible. There are many other references to his birth both in the Old Testament and New Testament.

If you are feeling lonely and tired this Christmas season, try putting your hopes and fears in a power greater than yourself God. Let his Holy Spirit comfort you and bring you peace and joy.

From my family to you and your family, may God bless you and give you the spirit of love and kindness during this holiday season.

Remember giving, caring and celebrating with love and kindness will give you hope for future times.

Bless you.