Where Are you Christmas?

Warning!  This is a long wordy post.  If you don't have time to read it, that's fine but you will miss my Christmas message.  I'm taking a break from posting so much for a bit so please indulge me this time.  

Good Morning!  If you have visited my blog at all lately and had your volume on you have heard one of my favorite songs..."Where are you Christmas".   I have it on my play list both in musical and vocal forms.  It is sung by Faith Hill and is just so beautiful!  Have you ever felt this way  at Christmas before?  Lost and unable to find the joy?  I will share a secret with you, I certainly have.  There have been times in my life when the events of a life ever changing with circumstances beyond my control have put quite a damper on all the Christmas joy. 

Thankfully I learned a long time ago what holds real joy in your heart and that truly is LOVE.  It is why Jesus came to this world, "For God so LOVED the world".   It is why he sacrificed and died for us, to save us all!  Because, he LOVED us!

I have such a hard time with those who despise the holidays.  Believe me, there are plenty of people out there who cannot stand Christmas!   I certainly can sympathize with those who are dreading it because they cannot give or celebrate in a way that others are, or are missing those that they love the most.   However when you close yourself off because of your circumstances you close the door on receiving the best gift possible, the gift of LOVE.  No one gets a perfect life but a life filled with LOVE seems perfect to me!  There are so many ways to give and receive LOVE other then gifts, the best gift you can give, is yourself.  

I love everything about the holidays!  It is why I celebrate BIG because I have a true LOVE for Christmas.  This is the time of year when friends and family should gather to show their LOVE for our Lord and Saviour and for each other.  It is why I go to all the trouble to put up the lights, and the trees, and the baking, and homemade gifts and the mad rush of store shopping.  It is why I tolerate the negative attitudes, and chuckle about the family bickering's.  It is all worth it to me!  The one time of year I get to really show others how much I LOVE them.  I cannot think of any better way to honor Jesus then to share my LOVE with those whom he has put in my life.  The day may come I may not always be so blessed to decorate as I do or spend on the gifts I'd like to, or even spend the time with those that I love.  But you can believe I will use every opportunity I can joyfully while I can!  I have learned that LOVE cannot be received if it is not given.   And a heart that is open to receiving LOVE, can also give it in return!

For my blogging friends I hope to give you a little of the gift of my time over the next few days.  I have much so much already done.  I am so grateful for the time to have gotten everything decorated early this year.

My house is all decorated and the trees are twinkling, except for the annoying strands that keep going out.  LOL!

The presents have all been purchased and wrapped in color coordinated paper this year too.  That was a new effort by me this year.   I like it!  Too bad I cannot seem to snap this photo without a yellow tint to show you.  After several shots, I decided it was time to get over it, post it, and move on. 

My beautiful paper whites have sprouted and grew rapidly in time to bloom for Christmas and fill the air with their very unusual pungent odor.  Phew!

The last of my handmade gifts are done and hanging to dry.

All I've left to do now is make some treats.  Yes, those are boxes and bag there.  Hahh-hmm!

Then make some banana bread, eat some tangelos, (thanks MOM!) and take my oldest son shopping. 

 Yes, I said shopping!  His only wish for Christmas was more Chef clothes.  You may remember he lives and goes to culinary school in Charleston and works at a swanky local restaurant, down there.  This year he will not be home for Christmas.   As his career continues to unfold I see a new direction for our family Christmas's fast approaching.  We will adjust and celebrate together when we can.  I see many changes in our future after this year.  He is home now for just a few days and will be back after the new year if not sooner to fully celebrate with us.

I plan to spend the rest of my days getting ready for Christmas, enjoying all the hub bub and hopefully visiting your blogs some when I get some down time and can squeeze it in.  I love seeing all that you are doing and how you are sharing the LOVE of Christmas in your hearts online.  It is such a joy to me and I really appreciate it.

I also want to thank Lynn at "Happier Than a Pig in Mud" for the beautiful gift I received in the mail the other day.  I won one of her beautiful stained glass pieces from her giveaway at her "The Reason for the Season" party.

What a wonderful piece of art!  Thank you, thank you, my blogging buddy! :))

For all of you who read this all the way through,

 God Bless you! 

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Mary