Christmas Cheer Part II

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After reading all responses to the Christmas Cheer post, I think the problem is maybe that people have the wrong idea about Christmas. It isn't getting into the spirit of Christmas because your happy....it is getting into the spirit BECAUSE of what has happened in the past year. Christmas is all about hope and love. "Because" of all that has happened in the last year we need to rejoice because we are still here and, somehow (through grace, hope and love) have made it through. Christmas began with a child that brought hope to earth.

I know there are lots of layoffs, health problems, etc. but we will make it through because we have the hope of better times. As homesteaders, we should be even more mindful and have a lot more Christmas spirit than the rest because we get to see the little miracles around us every day in nature. We have learned to do without and to make the best of what comes our way. We understand the simplicity in life rather than the commericalism and materialism.

I certainly don't mean that I am down playing all the anguish, pain and hurt around us. I am only saying we need to be mindful that good still exists out there. No matter how bad off we are, there are still things in life to be happy about and find contentment in our circumstances. I have had better Christmas'...and I have had worst. My family has been through unemployed, without presents and food. We have had ones where the presents abound.

Looking back now, the lean times were the most inspired and meaningful. We had to get creative to make the best of things and to forget what Walmart says is the way to have a Christmas....we learned that Christmas is having hope and the love of our friends and family. When we all sit and talk about past Christmas' the first ones that come to our minds is when hubby was layed off and we "invented" homemade christmas presents. It was a fun Christmas after all and made us really appreciate the more prosperous years. Without the bad you can't see the good quite as well.

I was going to just post this in the same thread (as I guess I probably should have)with the other Christmas Cheer thread; however, I wanted all those who have responded to the thread, but who might not go back to it, to read my response as well as those who might just check this one out of couriosity. My hope is that it makes a differance -- that it causes us all to reflect upon what is well with the world instead of what is wrong. Everyone of us do have much to be thankful for...even those without jobs, with health problems, even those who lost loved ones in the WTC disaster. We could be celebrating the holidays with many more of our loved ones murdered, under nuclear/biological attack, or total economic collapse. We all (myself included) need to count our blessings and look for hope for a brighter New Year.

Best of holidays my friends! I can't tell you all how wonderful it is to have the forum and what a help you have been to us with all your answers and encouragement this past year! Merry Christmas!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Thank you so much Karen. What a wonderful gift to pass on to this forum. I read the other thread with a saddened heart. You hit the nail on the head...we should be full of Christmas Spirit..especially on this Christmas. The glass is half full .. right? I mean .. finances can change, health can change, bad things can happen to good people. That being said, there was a babe born to give us hope and faith. When do we need faith and hope the most? When things are not going as we would like them to. I really hope people take time to think about Karens post...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Karen and the board.

-- Sher in se Iowa (riverdobbers@webtv.net), December 20, 2001.

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