The Gift of Love

“Love: It will grow each time you give it away.”

So here we are just a few days before Christmas. If you’re like us, your tree is starting to pile up with gifts underneath it, and the excitement is building. I wish it could be said the same for the love that I am doling out to others. Don’t get me wrong, there are those generous moments when I can feel the spirit of the season, but sometimes I confess I will just be glad when it is over and done with. There’s baking, cleaning, and wrapping to be done. The lines are longer any place you have to go, and I find myself tired out and wondering where is the peace, joy, and love gone to? Isn’t there supposed to be something more than this? So how do we keep ourselves focused on the true nature of this time of year? How do we slow down long enough to truly connect with those that are most important to us? When we look back at this Christmas what will be remembered most? Is it the stuff under the tree, or will it be the memories that we share together as a family. Will it be the unique, and unexpected sights and sounds of the season that will be replayed in our minds in years to come? I hope so. I keep telling myself to slow down long enough to look around and notice the unexpected. Did anyone see the moon last night? I did. I paused long enough to notice it and appreciate it as I was putting the dog out. Then I shared the event with others. Slowly that small moment began to grow. It’s the same with love. When we pause long enough to feel it and appreciate it, we discover that we want to share it. Kind of like the shepherds that first Christmas long ago. They took the time to experience love in flesh, and found that they had to share it. So as your finishing up your last minute to-dos, don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience love. As you do you will find that you just have to share it.