So How Was Your Christmas?

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Christmas brings out the best in humanity.  You see it everywhere.
You see it in everyone.  

Heart-warming stories, joyous greetings, hugs and laughter, phone calls and
cards, home-baked goodies, treasured gifts, scrumptious meals, candlelight
services, family traditions . . .

The season is filled with an abundance of love and peace.

Oh, please make it last.  Don't let it end.  

But, December 26 arrives and life goes back to its normal routine. Families
say good-bye and travel back home.  Workers return to their jobs.  Bills
come in the mail.  Everything as usual.  

Friends and co-workers ask, "Did you have a good Christmas?"
The answers are usually affirmative and include an account of where you
went and what you got.  

"Oh, yes, we went to Mom and Dad's and I got the most beautiful sweater!"

How about we change this?

How about we uninstall the programmed responses and reach down in our
hearts to pull out something that is filled with meaning?

That's what my plan is . . . to give an answer that keeps the spirit of
Christmas alive.

Instead of a rote answer, I will share something that moved me, touched me,
changed me.

"Did you have a good Christmas, Trisha?"

"Oh yes, I was immersed in gratefulness for the gift of Bruce's family who
have welcomed me and loved me and returned the Light of Christmas to my
heart."

"Oh yes, I received the best gift . . . a trip to visit my daughter who is
in prison."

"Oh yes, I have the most wonderful picture and memory of Bruce's 79 year
old mom reading us the Christmas story."

"Oh yes, we held church at home on Christmas morning, in the living room
listening to a sermon on an old cassette by Bruce's uncle whom I never
met."

"Oh yes, I was reminded over and over how much I love the people in my life
and how much they love me."

How about you?

Did you have a great Christmas?