“Oh There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays...” Yes? No? Maybe? Never!?

 Are you happy that the holidays almost are over or are you sad that the holidays are almost over? Maybe you’re in the boat of, “what holidays? I don’t celebrate any holidays, it’s just another day for me.” Or maybe you’re in the boat of “the holidays are too painful, they bring up bad memories, and I would prefer not to talk about them.” No matter where your answer is on that spectrum, this post is for you! Well, I’m not sure what my answer is right now, all I know is that my holidays were a little different this year.  

Christmas is my favorite time of the year because to me, it’s all about gift giving and togetherness. I like when my family gets together, participate in our holiday traditions, cook, bake, eat, play games, call our extended relatives, eat, joke around, watch some movies, eat, open presents, bring up fond or funny memories, eat....hahaha, you get the point! Togetherness, that is not a word that some people find comforting during the holidays. Some people cringe at the thought of spending time with their families, may it be their immediate, extended, or in-laws. Some people are like, “okay, it’s the holidays, I can tolerate them for a couple hours and then I’ll make an excuse to leave” or “I refuse to be around anybody...for my peace of mind.” Sometimes, togetherness makes us miss the loved ones that are no longer with us. Sometimes, togetherness brings up those painful memories that we wish we could eradicate from our memory bank. Whatever togetherness means to you right now, allow me to tell you about a true togetherness that only shows love. 


 I absolutely love to give gifts not because I want recognition from the people I'm gifting them to, but because I love to see their reaction when they open their gifts! This is such a serious thing for me that I ponder about my gift giving. I’ve always been told “you’re such a good gift giver” but later, I want to switch our focus to The Good Gift Giver. There are multiple avenues of gift giving for example, there’s the expected Birthday gifts, wedding gifts, housewarming gifts, anniversary gifts, baby shower gifts, graduation gifts, just because gifts and of course the holidays gifts.   


Have you ever heard of a “planned gift,” me neither because I just made that up lol. And no, I’m not talking about the short planning we make when we buy and give gifts. I’m talking about The Good Gift Giver, God. Do you know how long He has been planning to give us His beloved Son? I’ll give you a hint- since the before He spoke everything we see into existence! Wow!! He knows how to give good gifts because they are from above! "For God so loved you that He gave his one and only begotten Son.” I genuinely believe that true gift giving is only found from above and we can all take a cue from God. He gave the most costly and precious gift to us, to bring us love and togetherness. The angel appeared to Mary and told her she was “highly favored, the Lord is with you.” Togetherness. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” Togetherness. Mary visited Elizabeth. Togetherness. An angel appeared to the shepherds in the field and a great multitude of the heavenly host joined the angel. Togetherness. Jesus was born, placed in a manger, and surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and animals. Togetherness. When the wise men who had been following the Star found Jesus in his home, they brought him gifts. Togetherness.  


Even when you are alone, God is with you. In your dreams, God is with you. In your challenging times, God is with you. In your good times, God is with you. Togetherness. He is Emmanuel, “God with us”, Togetherness. No matter what you are going through, He will never leave you or forsake you. Togetherness. Well Carline why do you keep repeating that word? Because the wonder of God is love and togetherness. He wants to be with you, and he does not want you to be apart from Him. He does not want you to do life alone, despite how painful others make it to be sometimes. He does not want to reject you, abandon you, or hurt you. He wants to love you and be together with you. This reminder made me fall in love with Him more and more. Does God genuinely love me? Yes. Does He really want to be with me? Yes. But I have had deep rooted mistrust in others. Why don’t you give God a try? May the meaning of gift giving, and togetherness be different for you as you end this holiday season.  

 

Warm Wishes, 

Carline 

 

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