Lifting My Head

What exactly do you feel this time of year? Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and hope and yes there are the presents that everyone gives and receives, the smile on the little kids faces and the sheer screaming at the top of your lungs excitement that comes out in anticipation of the surprise behind the door or what you will find upon waking.

The time to reflect on the past and to worship the birth of Jesus because this is what the season is all about, contrary to what the advertisements on TV tell us, we have been swept up into a whirlwind of technology in our ever changing world, and through these changes even though some are for the better we have all but forgotten the simple things in life, oh to go back and live the way we did back then, most of us say no way but just saying life was nice with a lot less to worry about.

This time of year does bring about a lot of joy as it should and it also brings on a dark cloud of gloom for some people, you just don’t feel like anything you do is good enough, not enough money to buy what everyone wants, and the money you do spend scares you to death because you know the wolf is at the door so to say wanting whatever money you do have. You think of the past and miss those who were there, you reach out for them and all you get is your hand slapped away it seems, the ones with you now are a blessing and you want to cling tightly onto them, but the fear of doing so keeps you from sharing your feelings because in your mind you don’t want to drive them away too.

This time of year is cold and dark with the winter weather and staying inside the house for the majority of the day is depressing, the Christmas specials you want to see are not there, replaced by anything but good news because bad news draws more attention, but that in itself is a whole other post.

Christmastime is a blessing with friends and family getting together, a big dinner with a turkey, ham, leg-o-lamb, goose, enchiladas or whatever you choose to prepare is really a big thing, enjoy your time with these people because they are a part of your life, sip the hot cocoa and enjoy those Christmas cookies because that little kid inside you will recognize the flavors associated with days gone by.

Some things never change, those Christmas dinners are prepared the same each year, the hot Cocoa is made exactly the same even though stirred with new hands as time goes on, and the recipe for those cookies are passed down to keep the memories of Christmases Past in our hearts forever, the time of joy is right in front of us, we just have to lift our heads to enjoy it.