Food for Thought- The reason for the season

I know I should have posted a week ago, supposed to be the first Sunday of the month but we have been so busy with working, and school, getting everything ready for Christmas, and I have been helping a friend out. So, it may be a week late, but I am getting this post up.

So, one thing that I hate is that it is now politically correct to say "Happy Holidays" and yes, I am one that says Happy Holidays to someone I don't know, like a cashier, but really I want Merry Christmas to come back! The United States is a melting pot and we have so many walks of life here but seriously, I miss saying Merry Christmas! I also miss not seeing kids be able to have a Halloween party, or a Christmas party. Instead schools have Harvest Parties, and skip over Christmas/Holiday parties. I just remember the way it was when I was a kid, compared to how things are now for Ariana and wish for the old days. But, with all that being said I LOVE Christmas! I love the lights, smells, songs, movies, and cheery faces. I love watching kids excitement, family time and traditions. I love the snowmen, and kids out of school, and winter break! Right now I am sitting in my living room on the floor typing this and I have my Christmas lights on, and the tree on, the music on and I feel happy.

Something I always try and think about during the Christmas season  is the symbolism. The candy cane represents the Sheppard, lights represent the star that lead the wise man to Jesus. Santa represents Saint Nick who gave gifts to kids, and gifts represent the gifts given to Jesus. I could go on a lot more, but look around and see what you have in your home and what that might symbolize.
I found this awesome video about the Symbolism of Christmas. I hope you take 5 minutes and watching this beautiful video. 

For us, Christmas means we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Will's family has always read the Christmas Story out of the bible, and his Mom uses the manger scene as props for the story. When we get together with Will's family we do this every year. Every year Will's family gathers on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This year we do Christmas Day, and I always look forward to reading the story. My sister in law made us an advent calendar we can reuse every year. In each day I write down a fun activity for us to do, or a scripture about Jesus. Although Christmas can easily turn commercial by who is giving what gift, how many gifts will be bought, and everything else I still find it important to teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. So whatever your belief is, Christmas, Hanukkah, or another religious holiday, I pray you do something every year to still celebrate the reason for the season.