Finding the Magic in Christmas! Do you think this is possible and do you still believe in magic?

As we come closer to the end of another year, the celebration of Christmas is nearly here. Is there still any magic left in this day or has it become over commercialised?

While many celebrate, others can feel very isolated and alone and it isn’t always a happy time. I was blessed to have many wonderful Christmas’s as a child and the magic they brought to my life still lingers.

My sisters and I were brought up to believe in a religious Christmas and it was the angels who came each year with the gift of a live Christmas tree. Our sitting room was locked up a week or so before Christmas Day and all the blinds were drawn so that peeping eyes couldn’t see in.  We knew when the tree had arrived because we would follow the trail of pine needles from the front gate all the way up to the French windows of the sitting room.

Our excitement grew as each day passed, up until Christmas Eve when our European parents would celebrate Christmas. The whole family would gather together until a little bell sounded to let us know that the angels and baby Jesus had been. Only then could we enter the room, open presents and share the joy and excitement that unfolded.

It was indeed a very magical day for me.

Our son was brought up to believe in this Christmas magic too. We had no angels bringing secret trees but we would fill a large stocking of presents and wait until he had fallen asleep on Christmas Eve. Many a time my husband and I fell asleep before him, only to set the alarm at 4 am to place his stocking carefully on his bed so that a magical morning awaited him.

As we have all grown, we don’t keep up such traditions but the ones that remain and are perhaps more important, are the gathering of family to share our love and joy at this time of year.

Christmas to me, is still magical. It’s a time when we celebrate our beliefs, our faith and our family in whichever way resonates. I love exchanging presents and I love sitting down to a special meal with those who are important in my life.

It’s also a time to give thanks for the year past and to look forward with excitement and anticipation for the new year ahead.

However I know that for many, Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time. It can be very isolating or stressful when so much emphasis is placed on gift giving and celebration, often with those you don’t particularly get on with. Not everyone can find the magic at this time of year.

Perhaps Christmas is meant to be a time of gratitude. Gratitude for the things we do have, for those who do love us and for the beauty that surrounds us everyday. Gratitude for our health, our senses, our ability to walk, laugh and play, for the love we have in our lives.

Life can be difficult but it can also be amazing. By finding the amazing in our everyday life and giving Gratitude for what we do have, maybe we can find that magic once more in Christmas.

I would sincerely like to thank you all for entrusting me with your care throughout this year.

May you all have a magical Christmas!

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

 

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.