It's that time of year again! The trees are up and the lights are strung. People all across the United States are getting ready for an amazing time with their families; a time of love and sharing. For some of us, Christmas is hardly as idylic.
For reasons that I don't agree with, my family does not celebrate Christmas. Most of the time, Christmas is the single worst day of the year for me. I spend the whole thing pretty blue because of the lack of unity in our family. On Christmas more than ever the disunity is felt, because half of us want it and half of us don't.
This year is looking brighter; my sister and I are spending Christmas with my best friend and her husband. We'll, for the first time in our lives, have a normal Christmas that is what Christmas should be--full of love and happiness.
I have regrets, of course. I can't spend the holiday with my boyfriend, which I'd love to do. And I won't have my whole family there around me. But I will at least have a holiday where I can spread the joy and the giving that I've always wanted to.
I love Christmas. Despite what my family thinks, I adore the holiday. I find it easily one of the best days of the year. I love the Christmas spirit, and I love going out around Christmas because the whole world is full of it! And I love giving. Scratch that--I adore giving. This year, out of my meager income, I dumped over $300 into gifts. For friends that I'm really close to and even ones I'm not so close to. I just love buying things for people, wrapping them, and either sending or giving them. It makes me happy. :)
I'm so happy to have Jesus this season as well. Amidst all the maddness of the conventional Christmas, I try to never forget that He is truly the reason for the season, and that the joy in my heart comes from him. This holiday season I'm so thankful for all the blessings He's bestowed upon me this year!
I have an amazing family who cares deeply about me. They love me, protect me, but still give me enough freedom so that I respect them fully. I'm thankful that they were as good about me getting a boyfriend as they were; I never dreamed they'd be like that! If they would have been more difficult, I think I would have found myself sneaking around behind their backs and defying them. But because they were willing to try; I'm willing to do almost anything in front of them. They know practically everything, and they're okay with it. I'm glad that they trusted me enough to let me do that.
I thank God for my boyfriend too. He is AMAZING. I've spent all my life wanting a guy who would love me and care for me... And he's so much more. I would have never dreamed I'd have a guy like Cory. The guy is perfect for me! :) I'm totally and completely happy in his love.
I also thank God that he has granted all of us the chance for happiness. Whether or not we take it and make joy out of surroundings is our choice; but he gave us the chance.
In reality, I find that very much the spirit of Christmas. If we let it be a stressful experience, then we might not find the joy in it. Joy is in our heads and in our hearts. God gave us the chance, we need to take it.
Merry Christmas!
Enjoyed your post. It's easy for Christmas to become a stressful time. Married couples have to juggle which set of in-laws they'll spend it with...all the grandparents want to see the grandkids...it goes on and on. I think you were right on when you said that joy is in our heads. As Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
ReplyDeleteHave a Peaceful, Blessed and Merry Christmas
I'm sorry about your home life, but at least you have a handle on what our holiest day of the year is about. (Or is that Easter? It's always hard to decide.) I have a lot of other friends who wish they could have some modicum of the classic family Christmases that are depicted.
ReplyDeleteThese friends have discovered new "families" to celebrate with, such as your boyfriend (even though he can't be with you physically) and your sister and brother-in-law. And of course, you have all your CW friends like me who love and support you.
Merry Jesus Day!
~ VT
I can relate. I had a mother who hated Christmas and made the rest of the family miserable. I never had a happy Christmas until I married and had my own family. And even then they didn't live up to my expectations. But I've learned to be happy--no matter the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWishing you happiness!
Hmmm . . . . sounds familiar!
Ruth, I think a lot of us can relate to your story to one degree or another. I've found that if I go into Christmas Day with no expectations at all for my family's behavior, I enjoy the day much more than I would otherwise. I'm glad that you have a good family relationship, even if y'all aren't all on the same page when it comes to Christmas. Maybe they'll come around eventually.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, have a safe, blessed and Happy New Year!
Shelia...that's sad, and I can so sympathize! An unhappy Christmas is a hard Christmas. I am truly blessed to have had a wonderful Christmas this year. :)
ReplyDelete