Tonight I watched the old Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life.
It wasn’t on in the background – I meant to watch it. I’ve seen this movie a hundred times, usually seeing only the beginning, or coming across it halfway through, but seldom in its entirety, and often without thought. It’s one of those traditions that are a part of Christmas but dwells in the background. People talk over it, bake cookies to it, mind their children - even argue while it plays on in the background, unnoticed. We all know how stressful the holidays can be. But tonight I took something away from it that I haven’t before. We all feel insignificant at times; we all feel overwhelmed by the minutia of everyday life. And we all have our own dark moments that threaten, even the joys of Christmas. There is a lesson in this old treasure; that no obstacle or disaster defines us. That, in this life, we truly are remembered for what we have done. That it is not the trimmings and trappings of this world, but what is in our hearts that defines Christmas for each of us.
Today I found myself worrying about material things. The future of my little store. Someone I trusted, who let me down, and hurt me in the process. My website wasn’t working. My sales were down. My feet hurt. I am tired. It was, I am ashamed to say, all about me.
Then something happened.
One of my dearest customers came in to collect a little prize I had given away, in truth, to help increase business. For that gift – just a little thing really, it was a business decision to give it away. From a business standpoint, it didn’t have any more meaning than any other advertising tool. But I saw a young mother, for whom it meant everything. A pair of shoes for her baby. A moment of good luck, in an otherwise dreary year. A moment of joy. This young woman’s mother came along to thank me, and to share in that joy. Joy is not something that can be purchased, and yet, somehow, without really meaning to, I was able to give it. Here was someone with problems far greater than mine, and in that moment, she was thankful.
This Christmas, let us all be thankful for the gifts that we have. I invite you to stop, and let joy in. Give to someone who has less. Change a moment in someone’s life. Give joy, this Christmas. I promise, it will give you joy as well. Look at what is good and light in your own life, and be thankful. Cast off the petty cares and worries of this world, and let Christmas into your hearts.
It truly is a wonderful life.
Merry Christmas from our hearts to yours.
Carla Muller &
Our Family at Baby Charlotte
