Twelvth Day of Christmas -- The Feast of Giving

Today is Christmas morning let us rejoice and be glad. As a Christians, we celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus who was the greatest gift that Our Father could give us: his only son the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times in my blog, I post things about the Universal Consciousness. As a Christian, I believe that one Supreme Being drives that consciousness: God. Many of you may have other beliefs and that's what's wonderful about this world: that we can be unique yet still part of a Whole.

Today we celebrate that in giving we receive. After we open the physical presents and sit down to share our Christmas Meal hopefully, we will also share a Christmas blessing. God wants us all to have joy and peace but this world is full of imperfections and sometime much heartache, war, poverty and injustice. God's gift to us was salvation through his own son. In addition, God is the giver who never stops giving. He is the Eternal Giver.

This upcoming year I will continue to give from my heart in the form of writing. I may or may not reach my goal of traditional publication, which, as best as I can tell, is about a .5% chance of happening; however, I will give and continue to work on my craft with joy and peace.

I hope that you, too, will give from your heart and feel the joy that life has to offer. Whatever your belief is, may you enjoy today with your family and friends.

The True Meaning of Christmas 

 This sentiment of the true meaning of Christmas appeared in The American magazine, vol. 28 (1889): "to give up one's very self — to think only of others — how to bring the greatest happiness to others — that is the true meaning of Christmas".

God who gave his only son initially inspired the giving of Christmas gifts. However, in the non-biblical definition, as it appeared in pop-culture, inspired an overt avoidance of the religious meaning. Instead, the commercialization of Christmas and the holiday shopping season was born.

According to research, The poem A Visit From St. Nicolas (1822) helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and thus the economic importance of seasonal Christmas shopping took it's seemingly permanent place in human history.

However, why can we not enjoy both the spiritual and material aspects of giving? First, we experience what Christmas means to us from a spiritual base and then we give to those we love in a material sense. I know, for me, there's no greater joy than seeing my loved ones open gifts they can enjoy and use beneficially. For those of you who have children, there is no greater joy; I'm sure, than to see the light and excitement shine through their eyes when they are opening their gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.

I've enjoyed posting the Twelve Days of Christmas and I hope you've received pleasure from my gift to you.

However you celebrate, may you enjoy the True Meaning of Christmas in your own unique and special way. Have a wonderful holiday!