The Christmas Feeling

Posted on December 10, 2019 by dragonspitapothecary

I know a lot of people, myself included at times, who struggle getting into the “Christmas spirit.” We just don’t feel Christmasy or we aren’t into all the sparkle and joy that is around us. I often have to wonder about all those people who say they want to put their Christmas tree in October and they have one in every room of their home. Here it is two weeks away and I don’t have ornament one hung. I admit if it weren’t for our young son there would be years I wouldn’t put up a tree at all.

It’s not that I don’t like Christmas because I do. It’s just that sometimes the way I need to feel this season to have that joy come out of me conflicts with the external messages going on around me. The constant barrage of advertisers all wanting my money for the latest gadget, toy or technology, the onslaught of crazy in the grocery stores and the traffic every where I go. It’s like we see all these Christmas shows and movies about holding Christmas in your heart and feeling it there but in reality it’s all stress, drama, chaos and store fights. Sometimes it truly feels like we are missing the mark on the beauty, grace and simplicity of this season.

We can all choose how to celebrate the holiday and for some that does include rushing store to store for gadgets, toys and technologies. There are also some of us who prefer the quieter ease of online shopping with doorstop delivery. Regardless of how you go about preparing for this season gift wise I want to share with you some of the bigger things about this season that often go overlooked or underplayed. To me these are the things that make this season the best and what I believe should be more important than those gifts under the tree.

Comfort & Joy

You know those times where you can actually sit down to read an actual book, watch a movie or take a nap? You know how all year you’ve been saying just how tired you are and how much you’re not sleeping well?

This is the perfect time of year to cuddle up next to a fireplace with a book, favorite movie and relax. Leave your phone in the other room and just be where you are. Enjoy, savor, take in and cherish this moment right now. Experience true comfort, peace, and joy from being here now.

Too often in our lives we are rushing to deadlines and to-do lists and Christmas can easily make that seem double time but if you push back you can find this level of peace. Take it! Make it your own and enjoy these tender moments when we can truly relax and let someone else fight over the hot toy at the store. Trust me your kids will not remember that toy in 10 years or what you did to get it but they will totally remember that Saturday afternoon you spent playing board games, eating popcorn and listening to holiday music.