[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] FIVE WAYS TO HAVE A MORE JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Mary Ann" <BeautyforAshes7 at shaw.ca>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] FIVE WAYS TO HAVE A MORE JOYFUL CHRISTMAS
Date: 
Sat, 5 Dec 2009 09:20:55 -0700








FIVE WAYS TO HAVE A MORE JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

1.  STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN:

If you discover yourself becoming dulled to the joys of  the season,
STOP!  Slow the pace down and become still, taking time to LOOK and LISTEN.
 Take a winter walk, curl up in a favorite chair or before the fireplace.
Helen Keller once observed, "The seeing see little."  So feel the comfort
of the glow of a candle, or the red of the poinsettias.  Listen with new
ears to laughter and bells, and to the expression of love of found in the
story of the first Christmas.

2.  BE WILLING TO BE SURPRISED:
      
Remember that God can come in the least likely ways - a Holy Child born
in a village stable, a brightly shining star, an angel song in the night
sky. Watch for Him to come in equally surprising ways to you, too.  When we
live as if God is going to "surprise" us at any moment, in any way, in any
place, then He usually does!

3.  FIND WAYS TO ANTICIPATE CHRISTMAS:
      
How about keeping an advent calendar?  Commit yourself to perform at
least one special act of kindness for each day of advent.  Write a note,
letter, card or e-mail to someone to express your gratitude, to tell
someone you love them, to forgive an old hurt, or just to count your
blessings.

4.  FREE YOUR CHILDLIKE SPIRIT:
      
Jesus held up childlikeness as a quality to be cultivated (Mark 10:15). 
Children are experts at dreaming up simple things as delights that adults
don't, or have forgotten how to do.  Can't you picture a little boy singing
"Jingle Bells" to a plastic Jesus in a store?  Christmas often comes in
precious moments like this, when we spontaneously show our adoration for
the Baby in the manger.

5.  SHARE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH SOMEONE ELSE:

Nothing multiplies the sense of wonder in your life like giving it away. 
The more you share (not just things, but yourself) the brighter Christmas
grows.

I hope that these simple steps will help you, or someone you can share
these with, keep the wonder and excitement of Christmas alive during this
busy season.  

Just remember that "Jesus is the reason for the season."
Shared by Nadine
(singing - Willie Nelson)







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