First-- Christmas movies, TV shows, Christmas books. Movies and TV shows of Christmas can be corny and cheesy. I know this, but even still all of them are feel goods. My favorite book and favorite movie is A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott as Scrooge. I love movies about Christmas. A Christmas Story is a classic that must be watched every year. Same with It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and so many countless others. I love these stories so much. I find it impossible to walk away from these movies without a smile and fuzzies in my stomach. I loved watching these movies with my family, and now I love watching them with Hubs. I love them because they share messages of hope, love, joy, friendship, and share the true meaning of Christmas. Miracle of 34th Street is about believing in Santa Clause, but more than that it is about believing in something that maybe is impossible. Is it impossible to believe in Jesus? For some it is. If you need some faith boosting, there is an awesome Christmas campaign run by my church called "A Savior is Born." Check it out. At the bottom of the page, they have 12 days of social media Christmas. In reality it is 13 because they wanted to put together a special conglomeration of the YouTubers they featured.
Second-- Christmas music/carols. I am one of those people who starts listening and singing Christmas music at Halloween, I love it so much. Music is one of those mediums that can bring in the spirit so fast. It can teach, strengthen, and comfort. Songs about Christ are especially "chicken soup for the soul." At a work party, they arranged a local high school choir to perform for us, and everyone in that room was enthralled. It was magical. They sangs songs that were fun, and songs about Jesus. They really brought a special feeling to the party. (It also made me miss singing in my high school choir). A couple of weeks ago, some young girls from my church ward came to our house to sing carols. It was so special. It was the first time we ever had carolers. I loved it. What is amazing to me is that Christmas is so special, some of most beloved carols were written by Jews. These songs however, are not about Jesus, but about the season itself. Still there is no denying the feeling of the time. Whether for the money or because there is something special about the season, Jews writing Christmas songs is a bit ironic. Anyway, recently I found on YouTube a new favorite rendition of "Silent Night" (not written by a Jew), by Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, and Trisha Yearwood. Check it out.
Thirdly-- Christmas Parties. Parties can be fun if the company you work for allows for it, and the people themselves want to organize one. I have attended some really fun parties in the past and recently. They can be white elephant parties, ugly sweater parties, church parties, gingerbread houses parties, or an elegant party, or just a simple let's get together party. I really enjoy being with people I care about and having fun with them.
Fourthly-- Family, presents, traditions and everything else. Growing up over the years, many of my family's traditions stayed the same, and others changed. Now that all of us kids are out of the house, they all changed. Some of my fondest memories however, are playing scrabble, decorating a charlie brown tree that we picked from a lot, reading the Christmas story, playing the chimes that my daddy made and singing carols, waking up at four in the morning and all eight of us jumping into my parents bed (I still don't know how we fit even with some of us still small), lining up at the top of the stairs (me first) and running to our presents. Christmas sugar cereal also played a big part of our traditions. I love all things Christmas. Since Hubs and I have not been able to really visit our families since married, we have attempted to set some of our own traditions. It is hard when there are no children. Still, we have enjoyed and loved our time together enjoying the reason for the season. And let's face it, all of us enjoy Santa Claus and giving/getting presents.
All of these things put together make for a perfect Christmas. I hope as you read this that you can find your own happiness in the season. For those who may be alone this season, I pray that you find joy in Jesus Christ, and you can find bring love and joy to someone in need.
"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!" Charles Dickens
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