If you love the Christmas season and find happiness and joy during the holiday festivities, it’s almost inconceivable to learn how many others don’t share your sentiments. My guest, Connection Messenger* Annette Petrick speaks honestly about how we might be sensitive to others during the holidays and offer a little comfort or encouragement to make their life better, if only for a moment. Be kind. Be friendly, Be patient. You’ll never know whose lives your personal Christmas touch will reach when you let God’s love flow through you to them. Now that’s a powerful connection!
Use the audio player below to listen to this 90-second show.
The warmth of your smile, even in times of adversity, could be a significant Christmas gift to a stranger.
Listen in for a few Christmas behavior reminders from the Consider This radio show.
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Annette Petrick for Consider This
Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.” Be sure to get on her email list HERE. She sends out a new 90-second episode every Sunday morning.
[stextbox id=”stb_style_870581″]* What’s a Connection Messenger? At Heartspoken, a Connection Messenger is someone who helps point the way to strengthening one of life’s essential connections: with God, with self, with others, or with nature. [/stextbox]
Faith Is Like Swaddling Cloths
Our local Rotary Club members were delivering gifts to the elderly and shut-ins on Christmas Eve. As a young woman presented a basket to an elderly man, he hugged her and said, “I love you!” The sentiment seemed to surprise him as well as her. Embarrassed, he apologized for being so personal and explained, “You are the only person who has wished me Merry Christmas this year.” This bright young person was sensitive enough to understand the loneliness that was just expressed. She asked if she could stay a few minutes, shared coffee with the gift recipient and indeed gave him far more than was contained in that basket. She was wise enough to give the gift of her time. God blesses that type of kindness.
I have heard that more and more adults in their 50s and higher are ‘foregoing’ Christmas. The hype and the hoopla just became too much for them, and I understand. On the other hand, I love the music and the lights and the excitement in children’s eyes. I love the extra lunches and dinners out with friends for an excuse to ‘celebrate’ the holidays, exchange little gifts like warm socks or a bottle of hand lotion, and really, to just show we appreciate each other. That’s what I appreciate about this holiday: spending time with family and friends and just being together.
I so agree, Pamela, and it is those small things that have meaning only between the giver and the givee that gives Christmas your personal touch!
I thought long and hard about the best gift, and what I come up with are “times.” The times I spent with Mom and Ang, the times I spent with my little boy (now 34), the times I spend with my son and his family. Those are the best gifts. Though the pink little-girl bike with the tassels was pretty awesome.
I think you’ve hit on the perfect gift, Karen. And the reason Time is such a precious gift is because time is one of our most precious and limited assets, so to give it away, is very special.