The Christmas Season's True Reason

The True Reason for the Christmas Season 

My gerontologist friend, Karen Everett Watson always has good words to say about the holiday season.  Follow me here and see what she says about how our parents made us feel special and what WE can do to make our children feel special------

If you're like me, every year you fret and worry about finding the right gifts for those you love. 

There's food to cook, presents to wrap and oh that shopping! I'm so glad I can find most gifts with my good old computer. 

But when I recall the best Christmases I've had, it's not the material things I remember. It's not the food. It's not the decorations. It's the love that was shared, the sacrifices that were made and the true blessing of spending time with those I love. 

I know it is altogether fitting that the world should set aside a day to remember the ultimate love that was shared by our Creator. When I look around at the beauty of nature, the smiles of my grandkids and the wild birds that serenade me each night, I wonder just why He gave the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. 

With that love in mind, I try to focus on the giving of myself to those around me. My aim this year to remember that focus each and every day of the year.

 I think about my parents and how meager the gifts were that they received on their own childhood Christmases, yet they remember them with fond memories. Like Grandpa Walton who tells of finding an orange in his stocking and feeling like the richest child on earth, it's simple things that really bring us joy, not the expensive items touted on television, but the gift of love and caring.

 My fondest memories from my own childhood are remembering how daddy would always read to me about the birth of Christ and "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  Momma would make sure to have baked cookies for me to set out for Santa.

 I'd hang my stocking and dream of Christmas morning. Some years were tough, especially when I was in my "tweens." But my parents always made it special. When I was 11, my daddy bought me a second-hand bike. 

He worked it over putting new tires on it. He painted it and it looked almost brand new. The year I turned 12, again, I got a bike. Yep, it was the same one, only painted a different color with an added basket on the handle bars. I wouldn't have traded that bike for any in the whole world. 

So, I won't be spending a lot of money this year. I will share the things I love, especially with my grandchildren. I did buy them some books that I loved when I was young. All of them are classics that brought me such joy. I will encourage them to always trust God, to appreciate the world He created and to have a giving nature to all people who come their way. Giving is the secret to happiness – along with being grateful for everything we have.

 So, my wish for you and everyone in this world is to appreciate each other, the gifts God has given – it is the true reason for the season. Just imagine, it started with one small baby born thousands of years ago.

 See why I love Karen so much?!

 Aileen Brazeau

 San Clemente Villas provides full-service, luxury assisted living to those over the age of 65. San Clemente Villas by the Sea is at 660 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, CA 92673. Phone:  (949) 289-1534 Fax: (949) 234-0081. Contact:  Aileen Brazeau, Co-Owner of San Clemente Villas by the Sea. | abrazeau@cox.net.