Sunday, December 9, 2012

A Personalized Christmas



I love the Christmas Season! It's the time of year when my home feels the coziest, has the most colorful decorations and smells the yummiest. And I love Christmas music, even if it does start at Thanksgiving or before! I grew up in the snow belt of northern Ohio so most of my early Christmases were snow white, filled with sled riding, ice skating, and sipping hot chocolate by the crackling fire place. It also was a great time for seeing distant cousins or aunts and uncles I had practically lost touch with during the year.


I am also reminded of so many memories from all the years spent raising our children. I even have fond memories of the times when I was a "Zombie Mom" by Christmas day, as I backed dozens of cookies and tried to make everything just perfect for my family. Now that the kids are grown, I'm both missing and enjoying my new "toy-less" holidays. 


I spent most of last Saturday pulling out our decorations and placing them in their spot. Some of them are hand-me-downs, others were gifts and some of them I bought purposefully for a specific place in my home.


This year I’m trying more than ever before to “personalize” my Christmas. Instead of just humming the Christmas carols mindlessly, I’m asking God to make each one truly real in my life. He not only wants to proclaim joy to THE world, He wants to bring joy to OUR personal world. And just as we celebrate His love for the world in sending His Son at Christmas, let’s remember how much He loves EACH of us personally.


This year I’m also reminded that Christmas not only is a great time for fond memories from the past, but it’s also a great time for anticipating the joys and challenges of another year. What are YOU looking forward to in your life in 2013?


What about you?


How are you going to enjoy the holiday this year?


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