Good
morning!
While we check
our light strings for working lights, and gather cookie-making recipes,
and confirm event dates, and dress children for concerts and plays,
let's not forgot to look for the Christmas spirit in its most important
place--our hearts. With everything going on this time of year, it can
be easy to be checking externally for signs of the holiday, but we
should be mostly concerned with the signs within.
What is the
Christmas spirit, anyway? I posed this question to my daughter when she
was ten years old. I asked her, "If you could capture the Christmas
spirit on little pieces of paper, and tuck them into a bottle to last
all year ...how would you define the Christmas spirit?"
She said, "What are you talking about Mom?"
I tried again. "If someone were to ask you, 'what does the Christmas
spirit mean,' how would you answer?" First she said "Bah, humbug." Then
she started laughing, saying she was just kidding. She went on to
answer: "It is about giving to other people more than to yourself."
"The Christmas
spirit is being jolly and remembering all the things to be jolly for."
"The Christmas
spirit is about getting excited, and having belief, and magic, and
faith."
"The Christmas
spirit is about having everybody available in your family together...
except if it is a really big outdoor dog."
"The Christmas
spirit means, even when you don't get what you want, you're still
grateful for what you did get." She paused thoughtfully. "I don't think
I've ever had that happen, but if you don't get what you want, don't
start yelling at the person, as they tried their best."
So, what is the
Christmas spirit? It is all of those things Samantha came up with and
more. The themes underlying all of her statements are gratitude, caring
for another, taking time to be present with one another, giving of
ourselves, expecting, and believing, and receiving magic.
Your
Turn: Today, take a moment to bring the Christmas spirit alive
in your household. Ask each family member, over dinner, to define the
Christmas spirit. Then post their answers on your refrigerator as your
personal family-reminder of what this season is all about.
Today's
Affirmation: I cherish and nurture the spirit of Christmas
within my heart.
Your Two
Cents: Your feedback is what motivates me to create
the Good Morning. Share your thoughts and browse my archives by clicking
here. 
