What Does Christmas Mean to You?
by Letty Brown
This time of year people who are already too busy get busier preparing for Christmas. Somehow this negates the true Spirit of Christmas, which is the Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. My Christmases growing up consisted of Midnight Mass (I was raised Catholic) and my mom cooking for at least four days. It meant family coming over and some traveling from far away. Food was plentiful and our home was warm and seemed really special throughout that day.
I remember as a young single mom Christmas meant days of nervousness about being able to get my two babies what they wanted each year. It meant sadness that although we still went to family dinners, I knew I’d go home and once again be alone.
For the past 21 years that I’ve been a follower of Christ, Christmas means thanking my Father in Heaven for sending His son here as an infant to die for my sins. It means sharing the true reason for celebrating Christmas to everyone I come in contact with. These days, I get a warm feeling in my heart from the faces of most (and I wish I say all) strangers when I smile at them and say “Merry Christmas!” instead of happy holidays. Their faces actually light up and a look of relief is there for just a second when they realize that they can say it too without worrying how it’s received, which I never do because it is and was forever meant to be a Merry Christ-day!
Let’s share: What did Christmas past mean to you? What does Christmas mean to you today?
Oh… and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
