Getting into the Christmas Spirit.
I had one of the best Thanksgivings
this year and am looking forward to a very very good Christmas as
well. The thing is over the past five or six years I have not really
decorated for Christmas. Yes, I have helped others to decorate their
homes and even enjoyed sharing in Christmas with others as well. Last
year I even had an early Christmas with my kids and that was a
special time for us all. What has happened is I have not gotten into
the Christmas Spirit for myself or through my own doing but through
that of others.
This year I went to a store with a
friend and we were looking at all the Christmas decorations and ideas
that are out. We discussed the idea of decorating my apartment for
Christmas. I was like, why? I am not going to have any parties or
have many guests over so why should I do that? Then it hit me, I
really need to do this for me. I sit around in my apartment and I do
not have anything to remind me of the season other than the stupid
commercials on television. No they are not all stupid but there are a
few that really irritate me. (I could blog on this alone so I will
stop now.)
What I did next was figure out a budget
for decorating my apartment. I am having to start with nothing and
living on a fixed income I did not want to put out more than I could
afford. Also not wanting to commercialize my living area I decided to
start simple and keep it simple.
For me Christmas is about the birth of
Jesus though I do enjoy much of the standard Christmas shows out
there. My favorites are “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, It's a
Wonderful Life”, 2 of the many versions of “A Christmas Carol”
(The ones with George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart as Scrooge}, and
of course “Rudolf”.
So here is what I decided to do. I
found a prelit Christmas tree that was on sale and would fit in my
apartment. Next I wanted to put something on my dining room table so
I found some place mats that went with my room decor and for a center
piece a friend had a decoration that fit perfect for just that. I was
able to pick up a wreath for my front porch area and already having a
stocking I brought it out and placed it very strategically, A very
simple door mat to splash a bit of red and I was done. Now you may
see my picture of the tree and ask why did I not decorate it. Two
reasons for that. I am on a budget and not wanting to blow my budget
on just the tree I decided to go with just the lighted tree. I could
have gotten a few things to put on the tree but as my friend and I
discussed, I should either go all out on the tree or keep it simple.
Next year I will concentrate on the tree.
Now back to the Spirit of Christmas. As
I said earlier that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, how has
this decorating gotten me into the “Spirit”? After being thankful
for so much over the past few years I have been able to concentrate
on what Jesus birth means to me. His birth was simple in that he was
born in a manger with just his mother and earthly father there. It
was celebrated by angels proclaiming to the shepherds and to the
kings (wise men) from distant lands. A star was placed brightly in
the sky for them to follow in order to see the Savior. My little bit
of decorating is a reminder of that time when Jesus first came to the
earth as man. He did this not only for me but for all of mankind.
Living a perfect life as an example for me. Having taken all Sin,
carrying it to the cross, dieing in my place and yours, then raising
back to life, being then transformed just as we are able to be when
we accept this, freely and simply. He then left to prepare a place
for us leaving us the Holy Spirit as a guide through our life. Here
is that Spirit of Christmas that I really want to have in and with
me.
The Spirit of Christmas is with in all
of us by what was done for us over 2000 years ago. Living a life as
an example to others, helping and being there for others, and even
allowing others to help and be there for you. Not being selfish but
just giving to others in what ever way you are possibly able. Merry
Christmas to all and lets have a great New Year being all that we
can.
