Why I Loved Christmas As A Kid

Written By Don Shetterly

The day that many people have been waiting for has arrived.  If you're like me, Christmas Day is one of those times as a kid that I looked to in anticipation.  For days and weeks before, I struggled to sleep.

For me, I loved the Christmas programs at school and church.  Often, I would get to play the piano for all the Christmas music.  Also, my mom baked all kinds of Christmas goodies and cookies and candy.  It was fun decorating the Christmas cookies with her.

It also meant that for one day out of the year, we could just be kids and not have to go outside and work meaningless tasks on my father's to-do-list.  There were other aspects of the day that were not as pleasant, but I'm avoiding them in this blog post.

One other thing I loved about Christmas as a kid was seeing the decorated Christmas tree and all the tinsel and decorations and lights on it.  Living in the rural Midwest with the white snow-covered landscape, I loved to see Christmas lights on homes in the area.  The snow reflected the lights beautifully.  I am still mesmerized by the Christmas lights on houses.

These days things have changed for me, and I don't see Christmas in the same way as when I was a kid.  I still love Christmas Music playing in the background.  I still love the lights, decorations, and cookies.

It bothers me when I see people talking about this war on Christmas as if everything needs to be a battle.  Afterall, I think many who feel this way have lost sight of the true meaning of what Christmas is.  It is too easy to get lost in the "purchasing frenzy" and then claim there is a war on Christmas.  I believe some need to do some serious soul-searching before they proclaim what they do.  Unfortunately, the attitude of divisiveness seems to be the way of our society.

Regardless of how you view Christmas, I hope you have an enjoyable day.  I hope the joy and peace that comes on this day stay longer than a few hours or a couple of weeks.  I hope you took time out to not just focus on what you got, but that you gave back to someone else.

My only Christmas wish is that we as a civilization will start to practice love throughout the entire year.  I wish for respect and humility and kindness.  May we all start seeing one another through eyes where we recognize each other as human, not enemies.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Seasons Greetings to each one who visits my blog!  Don't forget, if you want to hear some beautiful Christmas music, check out my Christmas Cd.

---

Blog Post And Images (c) 11/30/17 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required in writing before any part of this blog is reprinted, reworded, transmitted or used in any format. 
• Feel free to share the blog post LINK and a brief summary.  

---

Let Peace Begin With Me

On this day, let it not just be a celebration of all the gifts we have received.  All too often, we spend so much money to find that perfect gift, when the day is really about so much more.  It is too easy to lose site of this day.

Instead, maybe we can focus for a moment on a thought about Christmas.  Let peace begin with me.  I don't mean we should ask others to have peace or expect them to be peaceful.  I don't mean we should think that if others are peaceful, then we can be peaceful.  I am saying this to each one of us individually.

Let peace begin with me.  Let it begin within each one of us so that by all of us focusing on peace in our lives, we will impact the planet in big ways.  These days more than ever, we need to have peace within our life so that we can share it with others.

We won't find peace in the presents or the gifts we receive.  We won't find peace in the moments where we are wrapped up in the political news storm of the day.  We won't find peace when we look for it in moments that do not offer it.  We won't find peace in listening to those that constantly scream at the top of their lungs for attention in our world.

Peace must begin within each one of us if we are to offer peace to the world.  It is something that we need to develop in ourselves and then see if we can put more peace in our lives.

Our actions individually impact the world in great ways.  So on Christmas Day, in the moment you are reading this, reflect upon how you can let peace begin with you or me or whoever you are.  By doing this, we may just be impacting the entire world.  If you feel you have already reached this point, then I adamantly urge you to go further!  The world needs it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blog Post And Images (c) 12/15/15 by Don Shetterly

• Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
• You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------