There are two types of celebrations that will occur on Dec. 25, 2021. One celebration recognizes that Santa came to the house and left presents for everyone if they were good all year long. Little ones who were naughty get a lump of black coal. While there was a Saint Nicholas who lived in the 4th century and gave gifts to the poor, the origin of modern-day Santa Claus can be traced back to stories about Father Christmas in 16th century England.
The other celebration focuses on the virgin birth of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. This is commemorated by those of the Christian faith. It honors the birth of a supernatural man who, after three days in a tomb, rose from death and spent time on Earth before ascending into a place called heaven. He reigns both heaven and Earth for eternity.
Many of us celebrate both events on the same day. We exchange gifts with the friends and family members who are inside our world. We decorate the house and put up a Christmas tree with glittering ornaments. We watch Hallmark movies between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we probably know every line in the movie “Christmas Vacation.”
We can celebrate Christmas with all the joy and passion of family and the birth of a Savior. This is an aspect of emotions that many of us see, feel and touch throughout the holidays. It is a wonderful time of the year. We see the best in people, and we offer them our best during this glorious period.
Some of us enter another emotional place during the holidays. We sometimes get stuck without any reason and feel mixed emotions. This is what I expressed in an interview with Authority Magazine in July 2021 about having mixed emotions after losing my daughter Abbie in a sudden, tragic accident:
“You can’t have fear without hope. You can’t have joy without sorrow. You can’t
just ‘let go’ unless you have ‘something to save.’ You remember the first time you
held your little girl in the hospital as she cried. And you now suppress the realization
of you holding your lifeless little girl as YOU cried.”
In this place, we are torn between the reality of where we are now and the path we took to get here. It could be the sting of the first Christmas as a single dad, or the broken heart you have knowing you’ll never open another gift with one of your girls. Life’s fury throws a lot at us, and life can bring us joy and peace. We can choose what we want to experience during the holidays.
So, as fragile moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, dads, grandmothers, Christians, non-Christians (whatever your religion or whether you don’t believe in religion), how do you exemplify what it’s like to choose love, joy, forgiveness, friendship, peace and humility this 2021 Christmas season?
You do that by hugging the ones you love, looking into their eyes and letting them know that the greatest gift ever is your unconditional love for them.
Live inspired,
Jimmy
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