Merry & Bright: Celebrating Christmas Every DaySample

Believe in the Magic of Christmas “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens There’s something magical about this time of year. Even if people struggle because of this holiday season, they still have hope that somehow and in some way, this year will be different. But, the real magic is not in the festivities surrounding this sacred holiday, it is in living for something beyond ourselves. As we go into January and the following months, we can carry the ideas in this Plan with us by being intentional. Decorations will come down and ugly Christmas sweaters will be stowed away, but the warmth Christmas time brings can remain. We just have to make an effort to be the people from January through October that we find ourselves being in November and December. The most powerful thing we can do to keep our hearts alive and thriving year round is to cultivate a heart of gratitude. St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is in giving that we receive.” When we give, we actually receive. We don’t have to wait until the Christmas season to make a difference in someone’s life. When we open our palms up to Heaven and release the grip on the things we tend to idolize, we become a conduit that God uses to impact others. What if the blessings we receive on earth were meant to be turned around to bless others? So… Write the note. Help the friend. Send the text. Visit the sick. Serve the Church. Give the flowers. Plan the dinner. Donate the money. Buy the gift. Whatever method you use to bring intentionality to your day, use it. If you’re a calendar keeper, choose a day each week to incorporate the suggestions. If you’re a list person, put a reminder on certain days to prompt you. If you leave notes around your office or home, put them in places you’ll see everyday. Every single day of our lives we get a new set of twenty-four hours to be the people that God calls us to be. The people who are kind, generous, thoughtful, social, thankful, and fully devoted to following Jesus... all year long. Reflect * You’ve finished this Plan— way to go! How will you incorporate the ideas laid out for you to be intentional in your life? What system will work best for you? * For the next 21 days, start your day by listing at least five things you are thankful for. Notice the difference in yourself after doing this.