We make Christmas to so many things that it is not.  It can become the most frustrating time of the year instead of the most wonderful time of the year.  But, Christmas isn’t candy canes and popcorn put on strings.  It isn’t mounds of presents and twinkling lights on every tree in the neighborhood.

Christmas isn’t about all the cookies we bake and share with others.  It isn’t about the carollers outside your window or the snowman in the front yard.  That little gift you give on Christmas Day cannot mend a broken heart.  It cannot erase harsh words that have past from your lips.  It cannot make up for all the times throughout the year when you were rude to the mailman.  One day, no matter what day it is, can’t wash away all the hurts  we have inflicted or experienced throughout the year.

May I suggest that we should do these random acts of kindness any time during the year.  We don’t have to wait for Christmas to be generous to our waitress or to bring some groceries to a friend in need.  We can offer words of encouragement everyday.  We can speak in love instead of anger.  We can hug the unhuggable and smile at the stranger in the grocery line.

Perhaps we should take a closer look at the things that make the Christmas season so special to us.  The things that make us feel good then, would make us feel good anytime.  Cookies aren’t only for the holidays.  Small token of love or appreciation can be given whenever your heart feels grateful.

Sending cards of encouragement is something I try to do all year.  There is always someone who needs to know they have a friend who is praying for them.  It only takes a few minutes and it can mean so much to the person on the receiving end.

There’s an old Christmas song that Bing Crosby sang that says, “…it’s not the things we do on Christmas Day, but the Christmas things we do all year through”.  I tend to agree with that thinking.