Let the holiday LOVE shine through

    As I said last week, I’m a week behind on my advent topics. The second candle lit in an advent wreath is the candle representing love. It would be easy for me to write about the love I have for my children or my family and friends. I could write about the love I have for coffee, for 2000’s teen dramas or late 90’s sitcoms, but this goes beyond that. I’m going to write about the little extra love that we should be showing to others during all times, but especially at Christmas time. Yes, this is the same girl that over a week ago sank down to just above the level of Mr. Grinch, but this week, I definitely have felt the Christmas spirit that I’ve been missing this year easing on into my life.

    One thing I love doing around Christmas is wearing super extra Christmas attire. I have enough outfits to have no repeats from Black Friday through Christmas day. And I don’t do it for myself, I do it for the smiles it brings other people. Trust me, I’ve gotten plenty of snide comments about my Elf sweater with the tutu bottom being worn out in public, but most of the time, people can’t help but smile when they see me. I love it. What I’ve learned as I’ve grown older is that it is the little things that really make a big difference. Sure, gifts are great, but they’re not necessary to spread love and happiness to others. Sometimes, a smile or a friendly gesture (such as a taller person helping a shorter person reach something on the top shelf at the grocery store, or offering to return someone’s cart to the corral) is all it takes. Don’t have a lot of money, but want to make someone’s day? Pay it forward in the coffee drive-thru. It might catch on and start a chain of happiness.

    It’s taken all this time–halfway through December–for me to feel like it’s Christmas time. And I think I figured out why. It’s because Christmas love is directed towards people. It’s received from people. Yes, obviously, Jesus is the reason for the season and the ultimate love comes from Him, but the spirit of giving, the spirit of happiness comes through relationships and interactions. As a true introvert, it’s hard for me to admit that, but that’s what’s been lacking. In years past, I have been working through the season and in contact with others. This year, not so much. I’ve been home with our youngest and my interaction with others has been limited. It’s time for me to make up for that. A short interaction with a gas station clerk on our return from Florida the other day really got me thinking. There wasn’t anything special about it, I just checked out, we exchanged a few small-talk comments and I told her that I hoped her work shift went by quickly and smiled. She smiled too, said thank you and we went our separate ways. But I thought about how she seemed to really appreciate that comment and how it made me feel good to make someone else smile and how effortlessly and easily it happened

    As I’ve gotten older, I have definitely embraced the idea that giving does feel better than receiving. And when you do it with love, rather than as part of a holiday check-list, it really ends up being a gift for yourself, too. Just remember when you’re out finishing up your holiday shopping, it costs zero dollars to tell someone you like their outfit, or to smile and tell them “Merry Christmas.” Zero dollars to put your everyday resting-bleep-face to rest for one moment and let the holiday spirit shine through.