BEYOND IMAGININGS

The media, in all its forms, is filled with thoughts , both subliminal and blatantly obvious, on how we've taken "Christ" and the true meaning of Christmas - out of "Christmas."   Here are my thoughts.

We shop, hustle and bustle around, becoming a part of the craziness that is 'the holidays.'  We vow each year that we'll begin preparing earlier, but it rarely happens.  We wear ourselves out, wondering why we did it at all.  We play the 'tug-of-war' game with ourselves, both feeling we should get this person or that person a gift because we know they'll probably get us one (we hope) - and knowing we probably won't because another family member is higher on the list, and finances are stretching thin.  It quite simply becomes a struggle, rather than a joy.  We've lost something....

Then...  the big day is over in a blur.   Wow...  all that spinning of wheels, and was it worth it?  Out next thought?  Maybe a new beginning with a new year? 

The following is a list of meaningful Christmas gifts.  We've heard them all before, oh so many times.  Doesn't matter.  They ARE what matters.  Not the prettily wrapped presents, or the 50% or 75% off sale signs...

• Being with family
• Making your own gifts (from scratch, and will take early preparation)
• Giving without thought of receiving (YES!)
• A meal for someone without a home
• A bowed head in humble prayer
• A heart filled with wonder at the goodness in this world (it is out there!) 
• Keeping "Christ" in your individual hearts - with no concern for the 'political correctness' of the rest of the collective consciousness (whew! what a mouthful). 

And that is the most significant meaning to all of this greatest of holidays!  Our heart-felt compassion for one another - the person right next to us at any given moment.   A smile, a touch, a kind word... that's all it takes.  Those are the gifts, ones that cannot and should not be wrapped up in secrecy, but that must be expressed deeply in every moment, and that can make every day of the year "Christmas." 

Each thought is a new awareness of what is kept inside our own hearts.  Fill them with goodness and might!

Merry Christmas Everyone!  (Turn on your hearts, and turn up your speakers for this one.)