Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
— Calvin Coolidge
During the Christmas season, we spend quite a bit of time and energy trying to establish what Christmas means to us. Is it a celebration of Jesus’ birth, a time for materialism to consume everything? Is Christmas about giving to others or spending time with family?
The reality is that Christmas is each of those things. But when truly celebrated, Christmas can be so much more. I love the quote above by Calvin Coolidge because it reminds us that Christmas is only important when it begins in our hearts. Although it is a noble idea, we can be completely lost by giving things to others. We may question if we gave enough or if our gift met their needs. We can even be so consumed in reminding others that Christmas is about the birth of the Savior that we forget to take time to actually reflect on the miracle of the birth.
The celebration of Christmas begins in the heart, but doesn’t have to last for one day. The holiday season is an opportunity to reflect on life, on your relationships with family and friends, on your commitment to God, but we should do this 365 days a year.
After this holiday season, take time to pause and ensure you are not just celebrating Christmas for the month of December, but truly allowing God’s spirit to bloom in your heart and spread to those around you, all year long.