This morning was a typical morning. After I got out of the shower, I turned on the weather show Wake Up With Al. Do you wanna hear what the forecast was for my area? Abundant Sunshine! Have you ever heard that particular adjective when referring to sunshine? I hadn’t and to be honest, it caught my attention and made me want to go out and be a part of a day with abundant sunshine! But that is not the only reason I want to go out and cheerfully be a part of this day. The other reason is because I am delighted to be experiencing yet another holiday season and the joy and happiness and goodwill it brings!

I have a girlfriend who hates, absolutely hates Christmas! I think it is because it is too much pressure. My neighbor hates Christmas. I think her reason is because she has always felt let down by Christmas and the overrated (subliminal) promises that Christmastime is suppose to bring and doesn’t. I have a coworker that hates Christmas. I don’t know why, I just know she does. I also know depression and suicide skyrocket at this time of the year. I think it is all due to the pressure society puts on us to deliver on Christmas and the pressure we put on ourselves!

Recently I posted something on Facebook that got a few thumbs up. I wrote: Can I give you the gift of love for Christmas? With the economy the way it is, it’s one of the least costly to me financially IF I give it in the right spirit. It’s one of the most valuable IF you accept in the right spirit. It’s one of the most sought after IF it is displayed in the right spirit. And it’s the most cherished IF handled with the right spirit! How about it? Can I simply give you love for Christmas?

Do you have anyone in your circle of family and friends that you typically exchange gifts with that would accept a simple gift of love this year in place of a tie or purse or perfume or gift card? As they walked toward you with a meticulously wrapped gift could you go toward them with your arms stretched out offering a hug filled with only the gift of love? Can you snub society and traditions and just give the one thing God gives to us so freely day after day?

If I were a betting woman I would bet that my girlfriend, my neighbor and my coworker would come to appreciate and value Christmas more if all that was expected of them was to simply give love and receive love minus all the rest!

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy Christmas! I love the feeling. I love the serenity of the spirit of Christmas. I love the joy of knowing…unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given! Christmastime changes moods and demeanors. Christmastime inspires and encourages. Christmastime can renew hope in the hopeless. Even if circumstances haven’t changed, the good feeling of Christmas and knowing there is a Savior that was sent to help us (that is such a simple way to say it) can generate faith in those that don’t believe!

From Thanksgiving until New Year, I am happy! I am happy other times, but many of those other times, I am happy because I consciously choose to be. For five weeks at the end of the year, I am happy without thought! I feel abundant sunshine everyday! I must admit, I am very Christmas-y and do the decorations and presents and go overboard! (I have vowed to do better) But I still know that Jesus is the reason for this and all other seasons and if I allow Him, He will bring abundant sunshine to all my days! Not just the last 5 weeks of the year but all 52 weeks!

Today is a good day for Kathy! I just took an 800m Ibuprofen/Motrin for pain in my hip but it is still a good day for Kathy, I am able to walk! I am carrying a slight headache but it is still a good day for Kathy, I am able to write this for you to read! I would love to be out enjoying the day, spending it with family and friends and not be at work, but it is still a good day for Kathy because I have a job! Today the weatherman told me there would be abundant sunshine! He didn’t have to tell me, I already knew because regardless of how things look outside, I will still choose abundant sunshine! And whatever your circumstances, I choose abundant sunshine for you!

Merry Christmas!!!

Holla back!