Hello Peeps!
Merry Christmas! I hope this season finds you healthy and happy and at peace. In a world full of chaos it is sometimes difficult to carve a little place of peace and serenity for yourself. A lot of people in today's world are full of stress and uncertainty about their future and the world around them. Loss of jobs, financial strains and a heck of a lot of people hanging on by a bare thread trying to survive the economic difficulties so many are facing.
Those are the times the most when we need to focus on grounding ourselves in calm and peace, knowing that no matter what happens we will survive and make it somehow. God provides a way and cares for our needs, it just may not be what we are accustomed to, because it is not on our terms, but God's terms. Many times I think back to my childhood when I lived with my grandmother and she was struggling to put food on the table. She only had her social security to depend on and that covered rent and a few basic monthly bills. It was no more than merely $350 a month. Can you imagine trying to survive on that pittance in today's world? That wouldn't even pay for gas for your car for a month! But somehow we made it and survived. Sometimes we had people from church or family who brought us groceries and that was a blessing. We didn't go hungry and we survived those tough times. God provided when we couldn't.
This time of year has me thinking back to the holidays of my childhood. To be honest, I don't really remember very much about the holidays when I was child, except for one Christmas that stands out to me. I was about three years old and staying with my grandmother in Walnut Hills. We lived in a huge old mansion that was divided into about 12 different apartments. The rooms were large with very high ceilings and all kinds of nooks and crannies to explore. I would love to live in a home like that now with it's old world charm and magnificent architecture. Homes were built much more solid back in those days.
My grandmother lived upstairs and my great aunt and uncle lived downstairs in the first floor front apartment. My grandmother took me downstairs to her sister's apartment and they all rushed to the window saying Santa Claus was coming down the street and that I needed to stay quiet so he would leave presents for me. My great aunt kept me by her snuggled in a chair and I heard jingle bells in the hallway and footsteps going up the stairs. I am sure my little eyes were as big as saucers with anticipation and surprise. When it was all clear, they took me upstairs and underneath the metallic silver tree was a cradle with a baby doll in it. It was still rocking as if Santa had just set it down as he rushed off to his sleigh to deliver more presents to other children. I have no idea what other presents I received that year because all I remember was that cradle rocking and how amazed I was that Santa had been there to give me a present. It was probably one of the most magical times of my childhood and a memory I won't ever forget.
Today children expect so much, all the high priced electronics and the latest and greatest gadgets. Most kids ten years old and up have their own cell phones now. When I was a child, the last thing on my mind was a phone, and if I had my own children today, I assure you they would not be getting their own cell phones or the high priced gifts that most expect. They would be taught the value of love and sharing, not how many high priced gifts you can get that aren't even appreciated. It's sad that the holidays have become so commercialized and that the focus is on getting as much as you can verses giving to others and sharing love and joy of the season. Most children today would curl their noses up at a home made gift made with love, yet other children in the world, especially other countries who have nothing at all would treasure a gift like that, especially thankful that they received a gift at all.
There will be many children this holiday season who won't be getting gifts that they have typically received in previous years. They will be disappointed and will have a hard time coping because their families are struggling in these difficult economic times. Not only will it be hard on the children but I think the parents are struggling too with the thought of not being able to provide for their families like they once were able to. It's a hard lesson to learn, especially for a child, which is why I think it is important to teach children from the beginning that it is more important to give than receive. The holidays are not about getting... it's about giving, of yourself, your love, and sharing in the joy of the season with those you love and those that are less fortunate.
How many kids in today's world do you think even know the story of the birth of Jesus? You hear the phrase "Jesus is the reason for the season", but what does that mean to a child today whose parents don't believe or teach their children anything about God or the stories of the Bible? I am the last person who would ever push religion, however I am a spiritual woman who believes in the power of God and the goodness and love of God's mercy.
Each year we see fewer and fewer Nativity scenes. In the news recently a group from Wisconsin is demanding that a Nativity scene be taken down in a small Indiana town because it is on the yard and land of the courthouse. They are demanding a separation of church and government. Really? Does the thought of God bother somebody so much that they are willing to file charges over a Nativity scene, especially one that has been displayed traditionally for over 40 something years? If they feel that threatened by a harmless display, I would hate to imagine the state of their heart and the message they send out to those around them. Is this what hate and greed looks like? It seems like it is becoming more prevalent in today's society. That is really sad that our world is coming to this.
You have to wonder why our culture is so vastly different than most other countries. Is it because we are a free country or is it that we are a spoiled country who takes everything for granted? A lot of countries from all over the world keep traditions and their cultural beliefs alive by celebrating in their customs that have been handed down from generation to generation. They don't get caught up in the trappings of commercialism the way Americans do. Is that because the American belief is that they are a privileged society and that equates to spending money to feel the value of our worth? Does being American mean how much money you have equals your worth and place in society? It would certainly seem to be the case in today's world.
I think it would do a world of good to get back to the basics of life where the focus is on sharing the love and joy of the season, where family and friends are valued and people help each other and genuinely care about one another. Where people are more concerned about spending time together verses seeing how much money we can spend on one another. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Just my opinion though... I don't see America changing anytime soon. Maybe it's too far gone already.
Even though I can't change the world, I can do my small part to hold my own values and beliefs close to my heart and to spread love and joyfulness of the season to those around me. Whatever your plans may be for the holiday season, I wish you the best and may peace and joy fill your hearts and overflow to everyone around you. Merry Christmas and much love to each and every one of you.
Bear Hugs!
PolarB :)
