Anticipation & Blessings In Disguise

Anticipation… 

It’s difficult in this world of ours to focus on the true reason for Christmas. We’ve come to know Christmas to be a time of giving and receiving gifts galore and Santa Claus and stress over entertaining and giving the ‘right’ gifts and what to wear to parties and which parties to go to and where to spend Christmas day and…..countless other worries.  Giving gifts to each other IS a wonderful way to show we care but it’s become more of an obligation than a symbol of love, honor and selflessness, hasn’t it?

I would venture to guess that each of us has at one time or another wished that we could do away with the commercialism and find the real meaning of Christmas.  Even Charlie Brown wanted that! This just might be THE year to do that.

Everyone is having financial difficulties this year.  This could be a blessing in disguise IF we take this opportunity to change things up a bit.  

Because of the current economic situation, my siblings and I have decided not to exchange gifts, however giving each other goods that we’ve baked ourselves is okay.  Another family we know of has also decided not to exchange gifts but with a different twist. Each person will pick another person’s name out of a hat, just as they’ve always done, however, instead of buying a gift for that person, they will give a gift to the charity of that person’s choice! Isn’t that perfect for this year when so many charities are hurting because donations are down?  Now THAT’S getting back to the true meaning of Christmas, don’t you think?  This is also the kind of selfless giving that Christ wants of us.

As Catholics who have suffered or who are currently suffering through the hell of divorce, helping others who are suffering will also help us.  If you have no money to give to charities, then perhaps you and your family have time to give. If you find yourself without family on Christmas day due to it being your spouse’s turn to spend Christmas with your children, spend the day helping out at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  There are many different “families” that we can have in our lives. If, however, time also isn’t available, then give prayers for those in need and for others going through the same hell you’re experiencing.  Let’s focus on others instead of on ourselves even if just for a short time and I’m betting that OUR burdens will also become lighter…even if just for a short time.

May God bless you and those you love!

Manya