Saturday, December 26, 2009

I Believe in the Magic of Christmas

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

There is something magical about people who love Christmas as much as my brother and sister in law and his mom . They invite all of us over to celebrate the season with yummy food, casual conversation and lots of laughs. This year we even played games.

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

There is something magical about the words used more frequently at Christmas time. Words like joy, faith, believe, peace and love. In our tiny house we put up a tiny tree and decorated it lovingly with ornaments made by my daughter in law with some of those magical Christmas words.

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

There is something magical about Santa Claus. I love the idea of someone who gives of themselves without thought of what might come in return. Who gives simply for the joy of giving. I love the idea that one magical night each year millions of people have their wishes come true. At least some of them anyway!

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

There is something magical about knowing that millions of people are celebrating the love and life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know He loves me always and has provided a way for me to live with Him again one day. Knowing the example He set and the millions of people who try to be like him is magical!

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

There is magic in the way people put their differences aside and come together to celebrate as family. What other time of the year can you find a menorah in one window and a Christmas tree in another.

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

It is magical when people show the spirit of the season by their generosity. They purchase and make gifts for the people they love.

I believe in the magic of Christmas.

The magical feeling when we see how people have put up festive lights, decorated their homes, offices, and yards. Even when they may have gone too far in their endeavors there is magic in that too.

Some of our neighbors have minimal and simple decorations like Janette next door or Angie . Some spend hours making it look just the way they want. This neighbor was out there with a tape measure for four hours. Maybe he was trying to make it look good both day and night. Sadly I am not very impressed. But the neighbor at the end of the street did a much better job making their yard look fun and festive both day and night. My night shot does not do it justice though.
Then there are those who toss out everything like these two neighbors. Who like to take things to the extreme. (Same house with a different angle since it is a corner house.) And this neighbor whose yard is so full I can't get it all in one shot. It looks a little hideous both night and day. (Still can't get it all in one shot.) I have lovingly referred this last one as Christmas puke.

Thanks to my new neighbor Stephanie I have even learned to appreciate the Christmas puke. The homes and yards of the people who have gone overboard. The yards that look as if every decoration ever sold or given to them seems to find the most random place. Almost as if they opened the box and tossed the contents across the yard. Stephanie helped me see that these folks simply have unbridled spirit and don't feel the need to hold back.

This is Stephanie's decorations. A lot but not enough to be considered puke. Yes, there is even a little magic in Christmas puke.

I believe there is some magical things about Christmas...