Preparations for the great Aussie Christmas have begun. Most households are busy baking, shopping, wrapping gifts, writing cards, putting up the tree and festive decorations. Many families look forward to celebrating the traditional Christmas Day with loved ones and friends. It’s an exciting time of year – especially for youngsters. Yet all the hustle-and- bustle can be stressful. So how can you best prepare for Christmas and get ready to enjoy the celebrations during this much-loved special season.
PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS.
Christmas isn’t solely about festivities, or the shop-‘til- you-drop rush for gifts or toys. It’s also about the active, caring, tender expression of heart-felt love which we all yearn for and ultimately leads to a love-filled, happy Christmas.
TIPS:
- Be open-hearted. Give the gifts of respect and tolerance. Forgive and forget. “The basis of Christmas is love loving its enemies, returning good for evil, love that “suffereth long, and is kind”.” Mary Baker Eddy. Miscellany p.260
- Be big-hearted. Offer encouragement and appreciation to those who are doing their best to care for, and teach children to be good citizens and live harmoniously alongside other people.
- Be warm-hearted. Show others you care. Thank someone who’s helped or done kind things for you during the year. Give them a special card with a personal gratitude message from you. “When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts”. Mary Baker Eddy. Miscellaneous Writings p.262
- Be good-hearted. Do something unexpectedly thoughtful for someone. Share the gifts of patience, kindness and goodwill with family, friends, work colleagues, other shoppers and commuters.
PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
Don’t just decorate your house with Christmas finery. Fill your home with the perfume of peace. Beautify it with the mind-qualities of happiness, stability and security. Adorn each room with the spiritual sparkle of harmony, contentment, and comforting rest, all of which spring from a divine Love.
TIPS:
- Mentally put out the welcome mat.
- Create a warm, friendly space. Make your home a haven for family and guests to meet and share Christmas.
- Be inclusive. Open your home to someone who will be alone on Christmas day. “Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections.” Mary Baker Eddy. Science and Health p.58
- Relax. Feel the joy and power of the Christmas story told in the Bible, Luke chapter 2.
- Prepare your heart and home for Christmas! You’ll find it’s good for your health.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Beverly Goldsmith writes about the connection between spirituality and health and is a Practitioner and Teacher of Christian Science healing. Twitter: @GoldsmithBev
Image Credit: © Glow Images. Models used for illustrative purposes
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