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December 26, 2009 by Spreading Joy

Christmas Reflections

[Translate]

toddnmeg2CIMG0988Christmas time is the best time of the entire year for me.  I love the giving.  Everyone seems to be more giving and in doing so, without even realizing it, many are flooded with great joy for their very kind, simple acts of joy. 

Knowing this about me, it should come as no surprise to you that on Christmas Eve, I had a hard time making myself go to bed. I sat in the living room, watching my children sleep. A current family tradition, started by Todd when he was young, sleeping on the couch, Christmas Eve, with the tree lit and the Christmas music playing.  After spending 4 months of not actually having my family completely together, stealing this moment was quite a gift for me.  I force myself to sleep, knowing that the morning will soon greet me and we can spend time together.  I kiss them many, many times and excitedly go to sleep, anticipating Christmas morning!

I wake, having slept only a few hours. Merry Christmas I shout to myself! Everyone still sleeping, I sneak through the house so that I can enjoy my gift again. In the dark – I sit, quietly, with only the lights from the tree glowing, watching my children sleep, gazing at their still bodies admiring the fact that they are both completely at peace, resting comfortably. I love the Christmas music playing softly in the background and even giggle when a loud snore comes from the bedroom, knowing that Steve is sleeping soundly. This scene has played itself out for nearly 18 years now and my heart knows that I’m limited as to how many more I’ll get.  I’ve already taken their picture while they slept, much to my surprise, neither move.  The camera usually wakes Meg. She is so tall, yet sleeps on the love seat on Christmas Eve, still. Todd sleeps on the couch, my baby yet a wonderful young man.  My, how time does fly.

My heart wants every happiness, every bit of joy, every ounce of comfort for my family this Christmas. My heart wants to give them never ending hugs that are topped with a million smiles, so that they will always know they are not only loved, but adored.  They, my family, are my very best gifts. They never have to purchase one single thing for me as I have far more then I could ever want, their hearts, the memories that I cherish and most of all their LOVE. 

Then, I imagine…God, my heavenly Father, sitting in heaven – looking down at me, while sleeping, even for just a few hours, wondering if I know that HE adores me, that HE loves me and that HE wants to give ME a million hugs wrapped with grace, comfort and mercy for the journey.  He wants to give me life so that I might have it more abundantly. I imagine Him, wondering if I realize that HIS heart wants me to always know that I am loved and adored, by HIM. 

I’m so thankful for my very best gifts.  I’m so thankful that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I’m so thankful to be used, to have an opportunity of Spreading JOY every day.

Oh, the excitement is killing me.  I have loved this wonderful scene for much too long now.  I even let them sleep 4 minutes longer today! Its time to read the Christmas story from Luke 2, its time for giving, laughing and expressing love! It’s time for great joy!  I happily bounce through the house, proclaiming that it is Christmas, waking the entire family with hugs, kisses and singing. “Merry Christmas Yall!” I proclaim loudly, joyfully and with great excitement!

Thank you for reflecting on my best gifts of Christmas with me.  As you think back about your day, what traditions do you hold dear? What is near to your heart? What is your favorite memory of Christmas? Do you read the Christmas story with your family? What are your greatest treasures?

I hope that you treasure these things everyday of the year, not just Christmas.  Trust me, if you do, you’ll be splashed with great joy every step of the way.

Merry Christmas!

Just when you feel you have nothing to give…give the love that fills your heart! ~ Marie Wikle @spreadingJOY

© 2009, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Jan Miesse says

    December 26, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Love this! Thank you!

    Reply
    • 2

      Spreading Joy says

      December 27, 2009 at 5:54 am

      Thanks Jan. Glad you liked it. Best wishes on your upcoming book. Would love to hear more about it.

      Reply
  2. 3

    Patrick Griffin says

    December 27, 2009 at 10:52 am

    Beautiful, and looking forward to more. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. 4

    Lorraine C Van Ryckeghem says

    December 27, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Please Be Aware..I made this video..sorry I was sick…http://www.viddler.com/explore/misspowerpink/videos/2/

    Reply
  4. 5

    soulsupply says

    January 3, 2010 at 12:46 am

    Ahh Marie .. you write so contagiously ..it is as if I can ‘feel’ your Christmas.. I am so glad you were blessed @ Christmas .. ‘cos you are only reaping what you are sowing… gee 010 looks gr8 from Chrissy 09!

    Reply
  5. 6

    Spreading Joy says

    January 4, 2010 at 7:22 am

    @Patrick thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope that you’ll enjoy the future articles here. No set schedule, I just write from the heart!

    @soulsupply thanks! I’m glad you could feel my Christmas, as I wanted to share my heart. I’m looking forward to endless possibilities this year!

    Reply
  6. 7

    Johnie Funnell says

    March 31, 2010 at 2:04 am

    Just as usual you have presented some terrific specifics. Been lurking on the webpage for some time and needed to thank you for taking a few minutes to write it.

    Reply
  7. 8

    Heather Kershaw says

    July 14, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    Marie

    I think I’m a little late reading this since most of the comments are from 2009 but I wanted to thank you for sharing. You have a gift for writing and as I was reading I could feel myself there in your living room with your beautiful family. Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories. Love you bunches.

    Heather

    Reply
    • 9

      Spreading Joy says

      July 17, 2011 at 9:59 am

      Thanks Heather for the kind words. I don’t mind. That was a tough year, but OUR get togethers mean the world. I’m so thankful for our families and the friendships we have.

      Praying everyone is doing good, healthy and growing like weeds.

      You guys bless me so.

      Love ya

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. uberVU - social comments says:
    December 27, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by spreadingjoy: New blog post: Christmas Reflections http://spreading-joy.org/site/spreading-joy/christmas-reflections/…

    Reply

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