FREE to be Me ...

Have you heard on the radio "The 12 pains of Christmas song?" A few days ago I was at home and wanted to listen to some Christmas music while I was wrapping gifts. So I turned on the radio and that's what was on. In case you haven't heard it, it goes something like this:

The twelfth thing of Christmas that's such a pain to me:
Singing Christmas carols
Stale TV specials
Batteries Not Included
No parking?!?
"Daddy, buy me something!"
Charities!
Facing the in-laws
Five months of bills!
Sending Christmas cards!
Hangovers
Rigging all these lights!
And finding a Christmas tree

I admit that I laughed at the funny lyrics, but it kind of ruined the magic of the moment for me. I expected to feel the warm-fuzzy glow that comes with the season, not be reminded of the hustle and bustle. After the song was over I felt like I needed to defend Christmas - like I needed to explain why all of those "pains" listed were actually really good things - and I had to justify them all in my mind. I just wanted those people to step back from what they were saying and be grateful for Christmas!!! :)

If we look for what is wrong with the Christmas season, we can surely find it. It's like the Grinch who managed to see all of the traditions negatively or Mr. Scrooge who became cold and cynical about the whirlwind of "cheer". But seeing it all this way takes A LOT more effort than finding something good about Christmas. So take off your angry eyes and put on the eyes of a child. That way even the worldly trappings and materialism won't be able to ruin it for you. Have a kid sing you their favorite Christmas song - that will definitely soften the hard places in your heart.

I feel the rush of deadlines - I feel the stress of shopping - And the busier I get at Christmas, the easier it is for the simple message of the Savior’s birth to get lost along the way. So if you feel like you can relate with the "12 pains of Christmas" and can't find the point in any of it --- Remember the Son of God. Remember His life.

I hope that during this season (and always) we will see the purity of the story of the Savior’s birth and feel sincere gratitude for the saving sacrifice He made for us. I hope this gratitude can help us renew our determination to follow Him. May it also lead us to draw closer to our families ..."and everyone we meet." And I hope we can all look forward to the day when the resurrected Christ will walk the Earth again as our friend.

I pray that each and every one of you will have a wonderful and truly merry Christmas!