The Christmas Eve spirit

Do you remember the feeling you had as a child the evening before Christmas? If you’re a parent, maybe you’ve noticed that same feeling in your children or grandchildren: that innocent anticipation filled with delight and wide-eyed wonder—maybe even the inability to sleep for the excitement of it all. You’re never too old and it’s never too late to catch that Christmas Eve spirit!

December 25th holds a special place for Christians worldwide, who commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. For many, it’s a day to share special gifts and special time with family and friends—but sometimes it can be a day of sadness, especially if we don’t have the people surrounding us that we hope for. I have certainly had years when I have been bubbling over with Christmas spirit, and other years when I was alone and missing my family, or simply overwhelmed with all that the holiday required in time and energy.

Cherishing a more spiritual sense of Christmas—a new and renewed dawning of God’s active love for all humanity—has helped me feel joy and gratitude, and made celebrating more about thankfulness for God and His qualities of goodness, love, peace, joy, than about ceremonies and material gifts.

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