There is snow on the mountains and you are cuddled up next to the fireplace. The Christmas tree is decorated and the stockings are hung. You are sitting in your favorite chair drinking a warm cup of hot cocoa. The snow begins to fall and Christmas lights shine through the beautiful twilight. It all sounds kind of wonderful, almost like a fairy tale.
Life is not a fairytale for most of us.
Everyone experiences something different during the holidays. For many of us it brings a bittersweet taste to our mouth. The sweetness of seeing family and friends is overcome with the bitterness of broken relationships. Holidays are a time when we are forced into awkward situations where we see family or friends only a couple times a year. We are expected to play nice and speak well but all the while we want to know the dirt and gossip about all the rumors we have heard throughout the year about this relative or that old friend.
Holidays really can bring out the worst in us.
Relatives say inappropriate things and friends bring up stories that others didn’t know. For example, over the Thanksgiving weekend a few people asked my wife how much weight she had gained during her pregnancy. I wanted to scream at them: “HOW MUCH WEIGHT HAVE YOU GAINED?!” It is never appropriate to ask a woman how much weight she has gained, even if she is pregnant. All joking aside, whether appropriate or inappropriate, the holidays have a way of bringing out the garbage in our lives.
It is time to leave the garbage at the curb.
All too often we get stuck on all the wrong things and we need to leave our garbage at the curb. I want to challenge you to approach the holidays with a different attitude this year. Christmas is supposed to be about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Trees, decorations, parties and gifts can be a great way to celebrate but they can easily overshadow the true meaning behind the most wonderful time of year. My prayer for myself and for all of you is that this Christmas season will be your best ever. My prayer is that despite all the junk happening around us that you will take the time to leave your garbage at the curb.
Staff parties, family gatherings and Christmas morning needs to be more than gossip and rumors, more than inappropriate comments and stories. Christmas is a day where grace began for all of us. Each one of us has a sack full of sarcasm, a trunk of troubles and garbage can full of gossip. Now is the time to leave them behind.
Do you want to experience Christmas and the holidays to the fullest? Be the first person to extend that hand of grace to others. The real meaning of uncensored grace was born on Christmas day. Take the time this holiday season to share that grace in the midst of all the heartache and hardships to everyone else. If you do, I guarantee this will be your best Christmas season ever!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Pingback: People of the Second Chance « Down Write Honest