IT'S THE SMALL THINGS
While I cannot fully claim that these are the exact sentiments of my 10-month-old son (as he is still not speaking but is expressive enough to show his emotions) I can definitely say that as a mother now, the Christmas season – especially this being his first – hits differently. There is so much awe and wonder in things that I would just glance past before. I finally realize the true magic of the Christmas season.
All of a sudden, the lights sparkle brighter than ever when you see your son’s eyes widen with wonder and delight. For someone who tends to veer toward muted color schemes, bright reds and greens and glittering gold suddenly take center stage because it is what makes my son babble and squeal with so much happiness and delight. He may have gotten his love for Christmas carols and song from his mama. His brightest of smiles springs from hearing “We wish you a Merry Christmas,” which I used to fast forward in the past but have now placed on loop. In short, life changes once you have a child, and Christmas is one of those seasons when it becomes much more evident.
I never really felt the meaning behind the famous saying “Christmas is for the children” until now. While I may have enjoyed Christmas as a child, the true spirit of the season is undeniably fueled when you have your own children. After being jaded by the consumerism that can surround the holidays, the festivities, and the merrymaking, you are suddenly brought back to its true essence – we celebrate Christmas because Jesus Christ was born.
Therefore, the children, who are closest to God, are representative of that very spirit; of the pure joy and innocence that the season evokes. The purity of a child’s happiness, and the sheer innocence that comes with recognizing the festive environment — that something special is being celebrated is enough to pick you up, and reboot your energy from the back to back holiday parties. It makes you marvel at and crave for the most silent of nights, and quietest of moments at home.
Realizing that the smallest bits and details of Christmas are what matter most has truly become magnified to me. At the end of the day, being with family, and savoring the holiday spirit with them is what counts, and what it is all about. The true magic of the season is in finding the littlest of things that spark the greatest joy, and bring us boundless happiness. The challenge now is to carryon with this spirit and attitude all year round.