Now to prepare for a new year....... a much better year for me!! Why? Because I will MAKE it a better year!
The wrapping paper is thrown away, the new clothing and toys no longer litter the living room floor, and for some folks the tree will come down and all the decorations put away...... until next year.
But what about the "Christmas Spirit"??? Do we have to put that away also? I know that today many people will hit the malls and other stores to shop for those fantastic bargains. Some with money and/or gift cards they got yesterday, some to exchange a gift they didn't like, or like me for other sizes. I'm sure we'll see on the news the mobs grabbing things out of other's hands, of fights or worse!! No Christmas Spirit there.
Wouldn't it be a marvelous world if we could, and we can, keep the spirit of love and kindness and sharing and caring and helping, etc. etc. in our hearts all year long? If we didn't have to go back to being the crabby self centered people we were last week? If we went to work with a smile on our faces instead of the frown of not wanting to work. What if we decided to enjoy our work? Be kind to our fellow employees? Smile more? Love more? Care more? ALL the year, not just at Christmas.
And what if we started with our family?? Now there is a concept. We could be more understanding of their feelings instead of wanting everyone to be more understanding of ours? We could think of others BEFORE we think of ourselves........ WOW!!
Dear Lord please help me to keep the Spirit of your Son, my Savior, in my heart EVERY DAY! To love everyone more. To be kinder and care more. I want to take Christmas into my daily life.... but I need your help, Lord. Amen