Christmas means having Christmas trees,
Opening presents, watching Christmas movies,
But most of all I like being with family.
We gather around the tree
Aunts and uncles smiling at me,
Moms and Dads talking,
Grandparents greeting and laughing and obviously,
Kids and cousins opening!
That’s what Christmas means to me!

I know Christmas can sometimes be crazy and chaotic, but it often flourishes into something beautiful. We’ve placed so much emphasis on the holiday that it has become one of the most meaningful time of the year. Every year, I look forward to listening to Christmas carols- without being looked at weird- and decorating the pine tree (even though I’m allergic to it) with the most elaborate and shiny ornaments I can find. I think what warms my heart the most however, is the time spent with family and friends. Maybe what causes me to enjoy this time of year so much is the exchange of joy and euphoria between myself and the people around me.

When I was a child, I can remember making wishlists from skimming though the internet to find what appealed to me the most and I would get so excited when I saw boxes set under the tree. I prayed the most gifts and biggest boxes were mine, hoping what I had written down was in them. I would shake the wrapped presents, impatient to find out what I was gifted.

Now, I didn’t always get what I wanted but I got WAY MORE than I NEEDED and for that alone I am grateful. I’m appreciative of what I’ve received as I am well aware many people weren’t in the same position I was in or that I am in now.

I’ve said all of this to say, what’s most important is being able to spend time with those that matter the most to us and that is the greatest gift of all. To me, Christmas serves as a reminder that I should be thankful and appreciative of who I am, where I am coming from and what I have.

What does Christmas mean to you?