The celebration of Christmas has never been a big deal for me. Okay, now you’re shocked! Let me explain.
While I have fond memories of Christmas music, food and cheer from my childhood of the many Christmases at my grandparents’ homes, personally I never did get the big build up to it. So when people ask me questions like: What are you doing for Christmas? or What are you wearing for Christmas? – I have no answers. I’d rather be spending a quiet time of reflection and having a quiet meal with a small group of people. Perhaps, it’s the sheer size of my extended family that made Christmas full of bustle and yes, loads of drama. In the last few years, it’s been Jose and me cooking special meals and having it together. Nothing spectacular – but I love it that way.
Then I read this article that Jose forwarded to me : Pensioner James Gray places advert in newspaper for company on Christmas Day. It’s not news really – I know how lonely people can get around festivals. But this year, I start to think about how Christmas can be so much more meaningful if we can reach out to people beyond our circle. This takes time and planning and sadly I’ve come up short for this year.
But the good news is that the Christmas season continues beyond 25th December. I’m hoping that we can spend some time with some people, to whom our presence might make a difference. Giving money is easy – we do that – choosing mostly to give towards the education of children. But we give out of our abundance. Actually spending time, that’s harder.
So all I want for Christmas (and well into the New Year) is to find a way to make a real difference to people.
Do you have any suggestions about how I can make this happen?
It is not the love we do not receive that hurts us. It is the love we do not give. ~ Marianne Williamson (A Course in Miracles)
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There are so many lonely people on Christmas day. I’m sure you can try and give by looking for organisations that feed the homeless etc on days like these. So much better than just indulging on Christmas day
[…] Corinne from Everyday Gyaan and yours truly give you one writing prompts a week to blog about and link up every Friday. The link will be open till the Monday. After you link up, be sure to spread the love by visiting other bloggers who have linked up too. […]
I love nothing better than a low key Christmas. But Christmas started for my mother in law with the one friend in this, her new home area, in her apartment crying and crying over family issues. Perhaps there is something you can do that would help the elderly in your area. I am not familiar enough with your culture to make suggestions. But, where I live in the United States, so many seniors are lonely, including seniors who have no visitors in nursing homes. And yes, people like my autistic brother in law – not all of them are fortunate enough to have family that cares.
You are one strong and inspirational woman.
Merry Christmas, Corinne!
What a lovely and meaningful thought, Corinne. Making a difference in lives of other people is such a beautiful way to shake and change the world around you. All the very best to you in this endeavour!
I prefer a low key Christmas as well. Luckily we don’t have any drama or rushing around to visit billions of relatives. I’m sure you are already making a difference to many people. Happy Christmas and all the best for the new year x