To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas. I figured out why last year, but it's a personal family reason and I wish not to divulge. Now that I know the reason, I'm out to fix it so that my kids don't repeat my Grinchy feelings for the holiday.
I'm grateful for a good God that allows us to figure things out. Why we do the things we do, etc. I'm thankful that He believes in us to fix them with His help. That's my hope this Christmas season and for future Christmases.
So, my husband and I had a little chat with my kids about "stuff", getting and receiving. We talked to them about the holiday and it's purpose. (I'm still convincing myself on some of it as I fix my attitude.) While talking with the kids, I realized that I want the month to be a focus on service and charity.
I had a friend, Jolene, who died too early as far as I'm concerned. She was always happy. Even when she wasn't happy she was able to bring with her a spirit of joy into a room. I love her dearly and miss her tremendously. But she left me with a desire to be more like her.
A friend of mine said that, "Jolene's mission in life was to fling joy." I've NEVER forgotten that. I am teaching my children that flinging joy is serving others. Just lifting their eyes a little higher, making their journey just a little brighter. It's not fixing their lives or controlling them. We're all here on earth to make the journey a bit more joyful for the next person. Whether family, friend or stranger.
So, today....the kids and I talked about doors. Physical doors as well as figurative doors. Especially doors that open to the love of Christ. Allowing Him in. That is what this season really is. Doing the things that He would do to fling joy to others.
The kids are working together as roommates to decorate their bedroom doors. This is such a good thing. I can not express the joy I am feeling right now. My boys are planning things out and talking to each. Creating a masterpiece, quite frankly. Usually they fight and blame each other. Today they are creating together.
The girls are learning to compromise. Lucy is a bit more literal and by-the-book (like her mother). Leah is more creative and out-of-the-box in her thinking. They're having to work together to bring a create something they both love using their diversity. It's working. They're talking and creating.
What a blessing I am experiencing today! I put on some Christmas music in the background as mood music. I am feeling the Spirit of Christmas today. My house is far from clean and tidy. We're all a bit hungry and the laundry isn't done, the baby is tired and needs to go to bed....but....we're enjoying our time together working on a project that represents the door to our hearts and the Master that wishes us to open that door to Him that He may "sup with us."
Lucy just came upstairs and asked if they could do this every year and make it a tradition. Hmmm....I'm thinking thinking their feeling the Spirit of Christmas too.
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