I hope you never lose the meaning of Christmas

To my children,

I hope you never lose the true meaning of Christmas. I hope you learn from those you love that Christmas and the holidays are not about how much you get but how much you give. I hope you learn that it’s not about how much you gave physically but, instead, emotionally and mentally. How much you were there for the ones you love, how much you showed you cared, and not just giving in a materialistic way.

I hope you don’t lose the meaning of Christmas. I hope you learn that while we teach you Christmas is about family, that not everybody has a family. I hope we teach you how to be there for the ones who may not have someone to spend the holidays with.

I hope you don’t lose the meaning of Christmas. I hope you learn that it isn’t about the money or how much presents you have under the tree. It is about the memories, it is about the moments, the traditions. You won’t remember the toy that is under the Christmas tree this Christmas twenty years from now, but you will remember the traditions, the smiles, the laughter… the love. Take that love and spread it with those who may not have it. This time is about giving… giving things like love that some people may not have.

I hope you don’t lose the meaning of Christmas. That one thoughtful action may completely change someone’s day and it may even change your own. Give someone a hug that may need it, give a stranger a compliment, pay for a strangers order, visit an elderly home. Do something thoughtful that not only will make someone else feel good but will help yourself feel good to by doing it.

I hope you never lose the meaning of Christmas, but I most importantly hope you know to spread this cheer, the thoughtfulness, the love year round because it isn’t about how much you receive it’s about how much you give and it will turn back around on you when you need it most. What you give to someone is what you will receive… year round.