Sunday, December 04, 2011

A Real Christmas

Are you prepared for a real Christmas?

Are you willing to give what you have?
Are you willing to have what you give?
Are you willing to give to those who will appreciate your giving?
Are you willing to receive with appreciation for the giver not the gift?

Are you prepared to stop over-giving?
Are you prepared to give something from your heart?
Are you prepared to say what you really mean?
Are you prepared to spend only what you have?

This year, can you make it clear to others what you really want to give?
Can you tell yourself the truth of what is most sacred to you?
Are you willing to stop the madness and eliminate all stress?
Are you able to cease pretending to play parts that are no longer true for you?

Almost 30 years ago, I stopped buying presents for adults. (I wrote them letters of appreciation.)
Since we have grandchildren, we tend to buy whenever it will be appreciated and used.
Last night we bought and set up the Christmas Tree for our 3 little grandchildren, twins in first grade and their kindergarten brother.  Fun, simply, and playful for all.  (Even Mommy who got to sit and enjoy.)
This year there will a second Santa drop off at our Lake House where everyone will gather the week after Christmas.  Just for the fun of it.

Right now the magic of Christmas is in the tree, the goodies to bake, waiting for Snow and trying to figure our how Santa does what he does???? This is a young child’s wonderland.
Have you figured out what yours is?
Seek always the Peace and Joy of Christmas.

Perhaps, the carols or family gatherings, or preparing the meal, or decorating the house??
For me the highlight is in our annual Christmas afternoon visit to local nursing homes.
Every year for many many years, I take a group of people to sing carols, give stuffed animals and bright note cards to folks who can’t get out and/or have no families to visit.  This form of sharing Love brings such delight to me, a humming vibration of Joy.

What makes your Christmas real for you?
Is it the “reason for the season” and a midnight Mass or the church choir?
Is it watching the children open their presents?
Is it feeling the cozy fire and watching your favorite movies?

Whatever touches your heart, it is vital that you give yourself the joy and peace of this Holiday.
Put into your schedule the true gifts of love you really want.
Bring peace to yourself by not overdoing or over-giving.
Love yourself well and you will love others with the Peace of God.

Thanks for being True to the Love and Peace in You,
Betty Lue

LOVE
There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer;
No disease that enough love will not heal;
No door that enough love will not open;
No gulf that enough love will not bridge;
No wall that enough love will not throw down;
No sin that enough love will not redeem.

 It makes no difference 
  how deeply seated may be the trouble,
How hopeless the outlook,
How muddled the tangle,
How great the mistake. 
A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.

 If only you could love enough, you would be the happiest 
and most powerful being in the world.

Emmet Fox