Sound familiar?

How is it Christmas already again? I've barely recovered from last year. It's good though, because there are lots of things that I want but don't want to buy for myself. Let's see...I should get something from that person... that person....she usually gets me something....oh, and so to they. He usually gets me something stupid that I'll never use, I hope that's not the case this year. I guess that sums up who I have to by gifts for too. I don't really want to get something for that person, but they're family, so even though we never talk and I barley know them, I still have to, right? Gifts are mandatory for family aren't they? It might be good to have a back up gift too, something generic that I can give to someone if they get me something unexpectedly. I don't want to look like a jerk afterall. The whole thing is such a pain, dealing with crowded stores and grumpy people and the expense. Why is everything so dang expensive now?  Is there anyone who actually likes Christmas shopping? Then I have to go grocery shopping, which is even worse than shopping for gifts. But I have to make breads, and a million types of cookies, and I think we're having Christmas at my house this year...which means I have to figure out a whole meal and how everyone's going to fit. I've got my decorations up already. I like that part of Christmas. Well, I like them once their up anyway. Digging out all the boxes- a pain. Putting away all the regular stuff to make room for the decorations-pain. Putting Christmas lights up outside in the freezing cold- pain...no wait, HUGE pain.

Does any of that sound familiar to you? Is that how people really feel about Christmas? Most likely the answer is no, but that doesn't mean that at some point in the season some of those thoughts don't go through our heads. It's not that we hate Christmas, but that we get distracted by all the "junk". We forget about why we even celebrate Christmas (except when we're sitting in church on Christmas Eve for the first time since Easter). Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, about celebrating an act of love. We celebrate because God didn't have to come to earth, but because He wanted to. He wanted us to know that He loves us.

So this Christmas season, try to remember that. The Christmas season is an opportunity for you to show those that you care about that you love them, regardless of your religious beliefs. Forget all the have-to's and focus on the want-to's, or better- turn the have-to's into want-to's.  Start giving gifts because you want to, not out of an obligation. (And if you are the recipient of a gift, remember that too. They didn't have to give you one.) Make different kinds of cookies, because you know that so-and-so likes this thumbprints, but someone else likes sugar cookies, and you want them you know you care, not just to keep them from complaining. Whether its gifts you give, cookies you make, parties you go to, or decorations you hang - your attitude through it all will come through. If you start to think of everything as another way to show love instead of another chore, maybe this Christmas won't be so frustrating.You just might be surprised. Maybe some of the magic that Christmas held when you were a child will return. Maybe you can stop dreading Christmas and start looking forward to it with excitement like you used to. There's only one way to find out.