If you can't find Christmas in your Heart

[Piglet843]

If you can't find Christmas in your Heart, You'll never find it under a tree.

The other day I ran across this quote online, and it was at a very needed time of this holiday season.
The holidays are so stressful for DH and I (we don't have kids yet).
Its so hard for us to enjoy this time of year.

But this quote picked up my spirits and I was thinking about it all day.

And the more I thought about it ...

the more I DON'T like this quote.

Christmas isn't under a tree!

Even I know that with all the stress and turmoil of the holidays.

But Christmas does have to be in your heart.
So I will have to keep telling myself that.

How do you keep christmas in your heart?
I need all the inspiration I can get!!

 

[Angelhalo]

I think the quote means what you want it to mean, that if you can't find it in your heart, then you won't find it under a tree either.

OP we don't have kids yet either, not for lack of trying. Jesus keeps my spirits up. He is the reason for the season (at least he is in our home) so thats what helps keep me happy and in the mood for the season.

Christmas isn't about how much money we have or who will or won't be home for the holidays, or family fueds, or broken relationships, or baking cookies, or Christmas movies, or driving around looking at lights....its not about any of those things. As long as I can remember the one thing it IS about, then my spirits remain high even during the hard years.

 

[DarthKTrava]

To be honest, Christmas has BETTER be in the heart this year... Cuz if I go looking for it under the tree, I'm gonna be sorely disappointed.

Jesus IS the reason for the Season.

 

[emer95]

to be honest, christmas has better be in the heart this year... Cuz if i go looking for it under the tree, i'm gonna be sorely disappointed.

jesus is the reason for the season.

amen!!

 

[clarabelle]

Church if you are religious
Advent Calendar -secular or religious
Jesse Tree -religious
Advent wreath with service you can do at home -religious
If you want directions to any of these things let me know

Other ideas:
Charity work (soup kitchen etc...)
Practicing "Random Acts of Kindness"
Read A Christmas Carol (or watch the Muppets version)
Look at lights
Don't overextend yourself-protect yourself and your time

 

[Piglet843]

Church if you are religious
Advent Calendar -secular or religious
Jesse Tree -religious
Advent wreath with service you can do at home -religious
If you want directions to any of these things let me know

Other ideas:
Charity work (soup kitchen etc...)
Practicing "Random Acts of Kindness"
Read A Christmas Carol (or watch the Muppets version)
Look at lights
Don't overextend yourself-protect yourself and your time

I've never heard of the Jesse Tree - I'd love to know more about that.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I've never heard of the Jesse Tree - I'd love to know more about that.

This has to do with the Old Testament. Jesse was the father of King David. I don't know if we can talk about this on the forum because it is religious.

MODS: If this is not ok to post, please remove.

I would be glad to explain further, if allowed or I can send a PM.

 

[Piglet843]

I honestly didn't think about this thread taking the religious route - even though I understand why it so easily would.

I just wanted to know how people climb above the stress, the ill-fated family members, and the commercialism to make this time of year happy and fun for themselves and their families. I just need a lift of Christmas Spirit I guess.

 

[Kimickey]

I have always found this time of year to be my favorite. Christmas to me means "family and friends". I love the spirt, joy and closeness this time of the year brings. I personally have never found Christmas under the tree yet I find it time and time again in my heart! I love to give most of all I love to share time with the ones who mean the most.

If I had to look for Christmas under the tree, well just lets say it wouldn't be a happy time of year

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

If you can't find Christmas in your Heart, You'll never find it under a tree.

The other day I ran across this quote online, and it was at a very needed time of this holiday season.
The holidays are so stressful for DH and I (we don't have kids yet).
Its so hard for us to enjoy this time of year.

But this quote picked up my spirits and I was thinking about it all day.

And the more I thought about it ...

the more I DON'T like this quote.

Christmas isn't under a tree!

Even I know that with all the stress and turmoil of the holidays.

But Christmas does have to be in your heart.
So I will have to keep telling myself that.

How do you keep christmas in your heart?
I need all the inspiration I can get!!

By your post, I am going to guess that it is hard to find joy during this time because of the lack of children. If this is the case, you are not alone in that feeling. My husband and I can not have our own children, but we have been in the process of adopting a child from China for over 3 years now. Each Christmas has been very difficult without our child home with us. This year, we decided to also adopt domestically. We hope and pray that this will be our last childless Christmas, but I have learned over the last several months how to become happy again without the child being here. Here is a bit of what we have done:

1) We started going back to church. Without taking this to much into religion and only sharing my experience, I had become so angry with God that I could not talk to Him anymore. I finally had a breakdown at work and confided in my friend how angry I was. She told me that it was okay to be angry, but that I had to tell God why I was angry. It really made sense to me because if I become angry with my husband and quit talking to him, it never solves anything. So I found a church and started going.

2) Became involved in an infertility support group - this has been an amazing experience just to have others to talk to and who understand. There is a group on the Disboards also that support each other - if you want, I can PM you the thread.

3) Became involved in a small group with other adults. This has allowed us to meet other people and make new friends, which takes our mind off of the waiting.

We met with the pastor one day and he said something that we really thought about. We have placed all of our joy in bringing a child to our home, and we have allowed the waiting to rob us of joy. We needed to find joy outside of this one event, which we have started to do now. For Christmas this year, we are going to get gifts for other children who would not have anything. Knowing that we are bringing joy to other people allows us to feel joy in our hearts.

Sorry for the long post. If you need to ever talk though, please feel free to PM me.