What Christmas Means ...

Growing up Christmas was a magical time. The tree was brought down from the attic with all the assorted boxes of decorations and such. Christmas music was played on our huge stereo that was the size of a dresser or some other huge piece of furniture. The day long game of matching the colors of the ends of the branches to the color of the pole - always an adventure trying to figure out if that color was pink or white or yellow. But by the end of the afternoon the tree was assembled and the ornaments hung with care.

This was also the beginning of the holiday baking. Cookies, pies, chex mix, and more. My mom always baked for everyone it seemed. She felt that it was her way of telling the neighbor down the street thank you for being our neighbor and looking out for our kids. I never was involved in her secret deliveries. Sometimes they were left anonymously while others were left in celebration. It was what she lived for all year long.

The year her mother died she did not bake that Christmas. Not sure if she didn't feel the Christmas spirit or what but I remembered a magical thing happened. It started days before Christmas and lasted until Christmas Day - people stopping by with holiday baked goods of all kinds. One lady not only brought friendship bread but she also brought the bell ringers from church to bring us some holiday cheer. On Christmas Day we had carolers sing some of the most beautiful hymns. For us kids, well especially me, it was a magical Christmas. We didn't have tons of presents to open but what we did was celebrate what we had. Our family and our friends. These friends who came by all touched our hearts and made me at least feel what Christmas should be about. The spirit of giving and spreading joy and love.

This year has been rough but it will not deter me from my Christmas Baking. We may not have much, but we have each other and some wonderful Christmas recipes. I can't wait to spread some love and joy this season. As it seems we have some pretty special elves helping Santa this year. For this all I can say is that I am humbled and truly blessed to have these elves in our life! I guess I know how my mom felt that year when her
Mother passed away. She had
Some pretty special elves too.

Merry Christmas to all!! Please go out and share some love and joy with the people who touch your life in some way. Make a difference. Make someone smile. That is what Christmas is all about.