My tree is decorated, my halls are decked with holly and my entire house as my husband says ‘looks like a festive shop!’
But that is me and just as Andy Williams said it in 1963 it still stands true – It is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
There is truly something magical about this time of the year.
It is a time for families to gather and create new memories, and give thanks to what has passed and hope for what is yet to come!
And whenever I think of the season three words come to mind – faith, hope and love. Truly Christmas to me embodies these three words in various aspects of my life.
It is undoubtedly a time for sharing in gift giving as well as celebrating the tradition, custom and faith that revolves around this time of the year.
I honestly cannot say why personally for me the festive season is my favourite time of the year. It manifests everything that I believe in or would want to believe in.
Laughter, hope, love, friendship, joy, forgiveness, courage, sharing, giving, family, faith, kindness and for a short span of time, even hope for peace on earth!
There’s something really special in the air. And I revel in the feeling.
Whether it is listening to classic festive carols on the radio, watching endless Disney films with my girls in the evening, while drinking a cup of hot chocolate, or tip toeing to the advent calendar and placing a silly gift for them to see in the morning, the list of why this is a special time for me, is endless!
My family’s traditions and celebrations of Christmases past, those of my younger years, are as clear to me today, as if they were yesterday.
Trying to stay awake on Christmas Eve so that I can catch a glimpse of Santa as he visited our house. My mother baking cakes and all sorts of yummy goodies, my younger brother in his pyjamas all excited for seeing his older sister excited!
Going to midnight mass and coming back home to see if any gifts were left under the tree.
Today, as a mother myself, I hope to have passed these traditions, joys and the meaning of the season to my daughters.
To be honest, I don’t think they can escape it!
And I totally agree with American author Norman Vincent Peale, ‘Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.’
So for those of us celebrating this season, I hope you have a joyous one and for all a Happy New Year!