Monday, December 20, 2010

What Defines Christmas to You

Just thinking. And wondering. From tonight until Christmas, I'm going to be focusing on the beauty of Christmas. I want to try and do things that mean Christmas to me. But what? What really defines Christmas to me. I'm being brutally honest here. These are the things that bring me joy and make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. Hmmmm. As my lists always are, in no particular order.

1. Listening to Christmas carols. I love the old, old ones. I like to listen to the ones that were popular in the '40, '50s and '60s. I try to imagine what Christmas was like back then.

2. Watching Christmas TV shows and movies. I love Christmas television shows. And once again, I like the old ones. Betwitched, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Andy Griffith, The Brady Bunch (now there's a classic), Good Times, All in the Family. Well, you get the picture. And we've watched National Lampoon Christmas Vacation at least twice all the way through. We play it in pieces the entire Christmas season. Charlie Brown's Christmas is my most favorite. Next on my schedule is It's a Wonderful Life. I'm hoping my DVR is going to catch all the old sitcoms that will be on.

3. Snow globes. I will post a picture soon of my Christmas snow globes that I've been collecting since Jeff and I were married. I don't know how many I have. I've never thought to count. I love each and every one of them and they are my favorite Christmas decoration. My great-grandmother had one of the little blue plastic ones and I remember shaking it and watching the flakes inside. I couldn't have been more than about 5 or 6. You might say I've liked them awhile. For the next few days, I think I'll wind a few up and watch the snowflakes fall.

4. My MaMa Kimball's Not Like a Fruitcake Fruitcake. I made it again this year. It seemed dry at first, but I reached in my bag of tips and remembered that MaMa always put an apple slice or two with hers and it stayed moist and wonderful. This isn't your average, dried out, crumbly, full-of-who-knows-what. No, this is one that has 8 cups of pecans. Oh, yeah, it's divine. I'm blowing my diet from now until Christmas. MaMa Kimball's Not Like a Fruitcake Fruitcake comes but once a year. I'm eating it. I'll just have to spin that much harder in January.

5. And coincidentally, this one came last. Maybe it's because it's the one I'm focusing on the most. This year I'm going to really soak Christmas in. I'm going to enjoy every single second that I spend with every single person that I'm with this holiday. I'm going to make pictures to remember with, both on my camera and in my heart. I'm going to celebrate the birth of my Lord. I'm going to enjoy the smiles and expressions on my sweet boys. They'll always be boys, to me. I'm going to sleep with my Christmas snowflakes lighting my bedroom so beautifully. I'm going to enjoy the chaos that is Christmas Eve with my precious nephews, niece and my sweet sisters! I'm going to be thankful for what I have. I'm going to pray for others. The people that I know and people that I don't. There are children hurting and there are grown-ups hurting. I'm going to remember them all.

What about you? What's defines Christmas to you?

Till next time. Live. Love. Laugh. And do it with all your heart!

7 comments:

Theresa said...

What a sweet post! I am enjoying this Christmas, every minute! I have been thinking a lot about Christmases LONG ago! Some of my favorite memories are when we all would have Christmas at Mama and Daddy's! There would be people EVERYWHERE and after a delicious dinner, GIFTS! The drawing names kind:) It was always so neat to see that ONE gift that someone picked just for you! I loved that family time and miss it terribly!

I have enjoyed this Christmas, running to every play and party... JUST soaking it all in! I have enjoyed my lights on my little house and my reindeer in the front yard! I am enjoying burning candles and wrapping presents AND decorating EACH package! I would say that memories are made throughout your life and enjoyed for the rest of your life! I love you my precious Niece! Merry Christmas from Auntie T!

Cindy Lou said...

I have enjoyed the special things of this Christmas...I guess this year more than ever! I have finished all my shopping and made lots of candy and I have spent time with other helping them to make candy, like my mama would have done! I have some baking still to do and I am looking forward to the cooking for the my family!!

I love this post! Enjoy your day! Love you bunches!

Joyce said...

The major things that define Christmas for me is the amazing birth of my Savior. How and why He came. Every year I learn something new about Him!
Also family and love. Especially my grand kids. Seeing Christmas through children's eyes are always fun!
The lights define it too. I love Christmas lights. I would have them up all year if I could. On my tree, around the room, on my house!!! I love Christmas lights! It makes everything happy and bright.
Love you Kelly Kelly and praying you have a beautiful Christmas week!!!

suzanne said...

Love it! I had high hopes this Christmas for being able to relax and enjoy the season and not be running around.... but it just didn't happen. For that, I am a little blue. I HAVE enjoyed a lot of things, but I feel like it's going to come and go so quickly.
Love you and Merry, Merry Christmas to my BFF!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Christmas Blessings to you and your family, From my mountain to yours Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

May your New Year be filled with many Blessings and abundances of Joy for 2011. From my mountain to yours, Until next year
Hugs and Smiles Gl♥ria

Anonymous said...

Greetings from rain soaked Southern California.

I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to :-)

May God bless you and your family in 2011 ~Ron

And always remember... Smiles don't have to be saved for a rainy day. It's good to waste them :-)

BTW, What defines Christmas for me? Jesus! :-)