the REAL reason for Christmas
i turned to my brother today in church, expecting some sympathy.
"Bro, do you have that feeling that it's the festive season and you are even more lonely?"
then the rude wake-up call.
"But it's not about you right? Christmas is not about whether you feel lonely or not."
Hmm.. true. have i forgotten what is the real reason behind the Christmas I celebrate? This is the first Christmas where i've been so ill-prepared for. i didn't know it was coming till a week ago, i didn't buy anyone any christmas presents (except gab who told me what i can get him), and just miss on the whole festive mood.
that got me very down. and i've never been hit harder than this year, where's all the love that comes with this season?
yes i'm still feeling bleh but i think i've lost sight too. it's not about me. and that's a truth i've to keep repeating till i internalize it. it's not about me.
but cos of everything that has been happening in my life recently, it also makes me appreciate the people around me more.
this is the year where i felt awfully touched at the cards i've received. in the past, i never paid extra notice to the words that people write specially for me. it was always ok read.. next.. read.. next.
but this year when i opened my first christmas card, the words hit me hard. thanks for remembering what i'm going through.
then the next one. wow. handmade. i paid extra attention to the details. i wouldn't be able to make such a beautiful card.
and the next one. another handmade one. thanks for encouraging me through this period.
then the next.. and the next.. and the next...
it wasn't a read and move on thing anymore. i savoured every word in my cards because all spoke to my situation and all reminded me that i had friends who care and who i'm in their daily prayers. and the gifts, i've come to realise that all were chosen with me in mind.
this christmas is especially special because it may be the quietest, the least festive, the loneliest, the saddest. but it is also the one that showed me the most love and taught me to slow down my steps and appreciate what i have in front of me.
photos for this season coming soon in a couple of days time after i return from the much-needed getaway with my family. till then, everyone is in my prayers..
"Bro, do you have that feeling that it's the festive season and you are even more lonely?"
then the rude wake-up call.
"But it's not about you right? Christmas is not about whether you feel lonely or not."
Hmm.. true. have i forgotten what is the real reason behind the Christmas I celebrate? This is the first Christmas where i've been so ill-prepared for. i didn't know it was coming till a week ago, i didn't buy anyone any christmas presents (except gab who told me what i can get him), and just miss on the whole festive mood.
that got me very down. and i've never been hit harder than this year, where's all the love that comes with this season?
yes i'm still feeling bleh but i think i've lost sight too. it's not about me. and that's a truth i've to keep repeating till i internalize it. it's not about me.
but cos of everything that has been happening in my life recently, it also makes me appreciate the people around me more.
this is the year where i felt awfully touched at the cards i've received. in the past, i never paid extra notice to the words that people write specially for me. it was always ok read.. next.. read.. next.
but this year when i opened my first christmas card, the words hit me hard. thanks for remembering what i'm going through.
then the next one. wow. handmade. i paid extra attention to the details. i wouldn't be able to make such a beautiful card.
and the next one. another handmade one. thanks for encouraging me through this period.
then the next.. and the next.. and the next...
it wasn't a read and move on thing anymore. i savoured every word in my cards because all spoke to my situation and all reminded me that i had friends who care and who i'm in their daily prayers. and the gifts, i've come to realise that all were chosen with me in mind.
this christmas is especially special because it may be the quietest, the least festive, the loneliest, the saddest. but it is also the one that showed me the most love and taught me to slow down my steps and appreciate what i have in front of me.
photos for this season coming soon in a couple of days time after i return from the much-needed getaway with my family. till then, everyone is in my prayers..