Commercial~ISN'T

What is Christmas? What is it to you? What brings you Christmas joy? Me? Just to name a few things...



Temple Square Tabernacle after my wonderful brother-in-law's Christmas recital.

My beautiful Buddy the Elf-spreading Christmas cheer

A gift from one of my kindergarteners-"it's a
candy cane...all you have to do is add red stripes!"

My little Christmas gazebo

I love this time of year. I'm sure anyone who knows me knows this is true. I revel in every single aspect of it. But I acknowledge that sometimes this most wonderful time of the year brings stress, fatigue, loneliness and even dread to some. It actually brings out the bah-humbug in some of the best of otherwise happy, light-giving people. While I understand that there is true loneliness around the holidays, I have a hard time wrapping my head around the less desirable feelings about Christmastime...the dread-ism, bah-humbug-ism, stress-ism, and most of all the perceived  "commercialism".  That one I just do not get.

I'm not trying to be insensitive. I think commercialism is a word that somebody made up to express frustration about companies wanting the consumer's money. Then the consumer glommed onto it and made it an issue. It doesn't have to be. Commercialism, like so, so many other things in life, is a choice. Your choice.

There are so many things we think Christmas needs to be; a time filled with activities, gifts, people, shopping, treats, programs, events, and...dare I say it...perfection. These things can be good, wonderful, joy rendering things...until we get carried away with these expectations and soon the stress of having to produce this kind of perfection gets to be a little much. Add to that the idea of "commercialism" and you have a wonderful time of the year gone bad. But you can fix this. You can be joyful.

I don't buy into the idea of commercialism. Yes, companies want your money. No, you don't have to give it to them, even under the guise of needing the "perfect gift." I choose time with loved ones, I choose thought over price, I choose heart over expectations, and I even choose thoughtfulness over perfection. It lends me much more time to enjoy the season. And I can assure you I do enjoy it!

May I suggest that when you see the lights, revel in the magic. When you see the displays, marvel at the time that went into creating a visual statement of happiness. When you hear the songs, be tickled by the charm of a happy tune, or the reverence of a tribute to baby Jesus. When you see the jolly man in a red suit, be grateful he teaches not about presents, but about giving and loving. The true meaning of Christmas. Giving, sharing, loving with the light that came with you as part of your package. Letting God's light shine through you.

Commercial-ism? How about commercial-ISN'T? Find the joy in that.

And in case you haven't found the joy yet...watch this!

http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/content/motab/en/videos/we-wish-you-a-merry-christmas-sesame-street-santino-fontana.html?cid=social_20151223_56598666&adbid=10154696636958868&adbpl=fb&adbpr=19919948867

It's Just Emotion that's Taking Me Over...

I LOVE this time of year. I absolutely love it! But I am just about the most emotional person on the planet from the first Christmas commercial until about the 3rd of January. It's joyful emotion, but emotion nonetheless. I cry at church. I cry at school. I cry watching TV and while listening to Christmas music. I cry when children sing Jingle Bells. I cry when I think of the Christ-child and His family. Like I said~joyful crying. But also choked up with emotion.

This time of year is all for one reason. Whether you're Christian, Jew, Catholic, non-denominational, white, colored, boy or girl, the Christmas season began because of Christ. It has become much more and some of those things enhance the season and all it's joys, and those joys are the things that get to my heart. Oh, I hear cries of "commercialism" and "skipping Thanksgiving" often, but here's the kicker...it's all in how you choose to view it. You can find joy or you can be upset. And we all know how I'm a connoisseur of  joy!

So I have found much joy in the season already. I gave praises of gratitude and thanks with my family in Washington for Thanksgiving. I began playing -and singing Christmas music early.

 I spent time watching fun Christmas movies with my family.

I gained inspiration and renewed strength in my job and calling in life by remembering I'm a guardian of children. I decorated my house with love. I watched Savior of the World with my Young Women. I marveled at the sacrifices made by so many to bring about His birth-and then to sing praises of joy because of it. I know I was in Heaven singing too.

Sydnee, Meghan and Shelby after Savior of the World
@Conference Center

Again I choose to find joy, and at this time of year you don't have to look far. I find a lot of it at home with my family and in the simple acts of preparation. Though there are events I would never miss I like to keep it simple so the rush and stress doesn't get too taxing. I count my blessings. I know I have many. And I'm emotional about it. In a joyful way.



My Goal My Choice, All Year Through

I will always admit that I am a lover of Christmas! Yes- even though it is July 11, I am thinking about it, planning for it, saving for it, dreaming of it, and thinking happy, warm, sentimental thoughts about it!

But what I am really trying to do, is live it. The spirit of it, the joy of it, the love and generosity of it. I want to be that way all year long.

I know there are people who are strongly opinionated about Christmas and where it does-and does not belong (and that is ok). I'm a believer it belongs in our hearts. All the time. I think anyone who has felt the true spirit of Christmas will agree that it would be wonderful to carry that feeling always. Guess what? You can! I admit sometimes it's a reach, but it's possible. It is possible to feel joy and share joy every day. Even the bad days.

 

We just booked our 2nd Disney Cruise. It is 310 days away. I can hardly wait! We have a countdown going. Chad asked me today if I really loved our cruise as much as being in the parks. I gave an absolute "YES"!"  I find joy there as much as I find joy at Christmas. I get to live that spirit out in the Bahamas! In May!! But I also get to live it here at home whenever I look for that spirit and find it in the eyes of the 600 children at my school, or watching my neighbors care for each other, or observing the caring way that my children treat others, or when I feel the love of my husband when he looks at me. It's lovely, It's fun to look for. Look for memories. Look for joy! Live the spirit.

Christmas at Disneyland with Minnie 2004

 And P.S. I do love Christmas music all year-except during Halloween hee hee