till the season

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love."

who doesn't love the holidays? whats not to love ABOUT the holidays?...great shopping deals, yummy food, mariah careys 'all i want for christmas' song, christmas decor, those classic christmas movies on repeat on tv, the high hopes for the new year/new you/new start. Even if  Christmas can sometimes be a headache and become a chore, be expensive and cause a mess - Christmas is a time of joy and love, meaning and tradition...Christmas isn't under the tree, it's in the heart. Last Christmas, I assumed the role of the Grinch, I stole Christmas from myself and from my family, regretfully leaving a sour memory of what should of been a wonderful white Christmas in Michigan. This Christmas will be different. I need to remind myself that Christmas is much more than just wanting a new Michael Kors watch and decorating a tree in our living room, it is the anniversary of the day that baby Jesus was born, probably the most significant event in all of history. So i am going to try to honor Christmas this year, the real meaning of Christmas, in my heart and try to keep it all year long! Christmas is more of a state of mind, than just a day or a date - it is being patient, being kind, being charitable, being joyous, being hospitable, being child-like, being thankful, being peaceful, being cheerful- it is being filled with the spirit of Jesus, quite frankly. I think its imperative to remember this during the holidays so that we do not get lead astray from the REAL meaning of Christmas when we get frustrated looking for parking spots at the mall or in traffic,or when we get a little greedy on our Christmas wish list to Santa. "Christmas is not as much about opening our gifts, as it is about opening our hearts" 
My mom doesn't have plans to deck the halls for another two weeks but I'm hoping I can convince her to do it sooner - we traditionally get a large, REAL Christmas tree, put candles in the windows and wreathes on the door, the whole shebang! I love that warm ambiance and cozy atmosphere that a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, poinsettias, Christmas lights, candles, a lit fireplace, "A Christmas Story" playing on tv, and something delicious being baked in the oven, creates!  I am anticipating this Christmas to be a memorable and lovely one...  I plan to deck the halls, jingle some bells, rock around the Christmas tree, have myself a merry little Christmas, hope for a white Christmas so i can make a frosty the snowman, and look out for Rudolph the red nosed reindeer because Santa Claus is comin to town!!