December
1 |
|
Take
a moment to carve out at least one hour of this evening. Walk around
your neighborhood in silence. Take note of all - the weather, the
lights, the sounds, the smells. Forget your worries for just this
one hour and live just this moment; hearing the deepest Christmas
wish of your heart. What is that one wish? One of the greatest gifts
of the Christmas birth is that of hope in this world and beyond.
Hope beyond all hope for the personal wishes of your heart. |
December
2 |
|
Make
a list of all those that have been very influential and kind to
and impactful on you this past year. Be sure - even if you don't
send out Christmas cards - to find time to write or call them to
tell them what they have meant to you. Love is wasted if it is not
shared with one another in this life - is the central message of
the Christmas birth. |
December
3 |
|
Take
inventory of your closets and identify those clothes that you have
not worn in over a year. Part with them willingly and joyfully and
give those items to a local clothing drive or shelter. Our greatest
gifts of any season are not those that come from the pocket, but
from the heart. |
December
4 |
|
Calculate
the total that you will be spending this season on Christmas gifts.
Take at least 5-10% of that total and give it to a charity on behalf
of a loved one or give it anonymously. When others ask you what
you would like for Christmas, have them give a financial donation
to a charity in your name - it is a gift that keeps giving. |
December
5 |
|
Who
is that one friend/acquaintance that you have been meaning to get
in touch with? Now is the time, for life is too short. By phone,
email, letter - get in touch and reacquaint yourself with each other's
life. |
December
6 |
|
Select
a book - your favorite Christmas story or the biblical Christmas
story. Read it again - slowly and intentionally. Take a few moments
to reflect on the message of the story and what light it has to
shed on your own life. |
December
7 |
|
Identify
that one person with whom you've had a falling out or major disagreement
this year. Enter the season with a light heart by emptying it of
all its debt - attempt to make amends with at least that one person. |
December
8 |
|
Identify
one blessing that has occurred to you this year. Once you've identified
it, find a way to share the rewards of that blessing with one other
person; someone in need of that same blessing. |
December
9 |
|
Take
the next seven days (or more) to offer a specific word of encouragement
for someone who may desperately need it. There was a time when you
were in need and someone encouraged you - return the favor to anyone
and everyone. |
December
10 |
|
Instead
of having your weekly soda or cocktail, take that money and purchase
canned goods. Donate those cans to the local food shelter; not for
the "less fortunate," but simply for fellow humans. We
each will need the assistance of our fellow humans during our life.
Be generous. |
December
11 |
|
During
this holiday season, find one local charity that needs volunteers
and offer a few hours of your time. The greatest gift you can give
is that of yourself. And one of the best ways to relieve any personal
depression is by helping others. |
December
12 |
|
If
you send out Christmas cards, do more than just sign your name this
year. Take the time to write one personal message or thought in
each of your cards - those receiving it will greatly appreciate
it. |
December
13 |
|
Locate
your local food shelter. Go and visit it and see what they may need
in terms of supplies. If you can't offer supplies, then volunteer
your time. Again, the greatest gift you can give is that of yourself. |
December
14 |
|
Find
out from your local church/parish if there are any needy families
that need a Christmas tree or holiday meal this year. If so, then
take some of your Christmas shopping money (i.e. see Dec. 4) and
purchase a small tree, lights and a few ornaments... and then deliver
it anonymously. Also/Or deliver an anonymous Christmas dinner to
a needy family as well. The irony of life is this: the greater we
do for others, the richer we feel and are. |
December
15 |
|
Find
out if there is a caroling group in your neighborhood. If not, get
two or three families or individuals in your neighborhood together
to carol up and down the street one night during this season. Whether
you think you sing well or not, nothing lifts the spirit like the
sounds of Christmas coming from your own voice. |
December
16 |
|
Identify
one regret in your life right now - it may be in the present or
from the past. Is there any way that can reconcile with that regret
by performing a present act or good deed? Then do it - don't delay!
Regret is one of the deadly anchors of the human heart - free yourself
from its hold. |
December
17 |
|
Do
you have family members that live nearby? Don't wait until Christmas
Eve or Christmas Day to spend time with them. Make a pledge to yourself
that you will get together and have a shared lunch or dinner before
the holidays. Nothing makes the spirit lighter than being with those
that know you best. |
December
18 |
|
Identify
any and all persons who you feel have wronged you this year... and
forgive them. There is nothing worse to the human spirit than the
weight of revenge and anger. Give a gift to yourself and let it
go. |
December
19 |
|
If
you haven't done so - and even if you have - take time to read Charles
Dickens' Christmas Carol in three parts. Right now concentrate
on the portion of the story that deals with the images shown by
the spirit of Christmas Past. What wonderful childhood memories
can you think of that have helped shape you into the person you
are today? |
December
20 |
|
Part
Two: Concentrate on the portion of the story that deals with the
images shown by the spirit of Christmas Present. What good and difficult
situations are occurring in your life right now that are setting
the stage for the person you are becoming? What are three things
you would like change about your life right now for the positive? |
December
21 |
|
Part
Three: Concentrate on the portion of the story that deals with the
images shown by the spirit of Christmas Future. Take a look at your
life right now - where do you see it heading? What are three things
you would like to see come true in your life in the future? What
are you doing to work toward those three things? |
December
22 |
|
Take
an hour - early in the morning or late in the evening - and re-read
the biblical Christmas story in Luke 2: 1-38. Select a character
(Joseph, Mary, Herod, Wise Men, shepherds). Meditate on their specific
reaction to the birth of Jesus. How is this character similar to
you and your relationship to this Jesus in your life. |
December
23 |
|
Of
all these reflections/actions, be sure to share your thoughts and
example with your loved ones and children. - involve them as well
in these reflections and actions. The most contagious element in
the world is one's example. |
December
24 |
|
Overcast
or clear skies, the Star will shine bright. Where is the Star of
Bethlehem leading you in your mission in life? What purpose is unfolding
for your life. Write it down on a sheet of paper - simple or profound
- and make it your first resolution for the new year. |
December
25 |
|
When
you gather with loved ones today, be sure to take a moment to toast
those who are no longer with you - either a distance from you in
this life or those that have gone on ahead from this life. Toast
to the never-ending good they have been in your life. |