When you wholeheartedly adopt a 'with all your heart' attitude and go all out with the positive principle, you can do incredible things - Norman Vincent Peale

InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 171 - December 14th, 2009
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Christmas is for Love

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large grey eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, 'Did you really miss me?'

I explained how he had been my best helper. 'I was making you a surprise,' he whispered confidentially.

'It's for Christmas.' With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. 'I have your present,' he said timidly when I looked up. 'I hope you like it.' He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

'Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?' I asked opening the top to look inside.

'Oh you can't see what's in it,' he replied, 'and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone.'

I gazed into the empty box. 'What is it Mark,' I asked gently, 'that will make me feel so good?

'Its love,' he whispered softly, 'and mother always said its best when you give it away.' And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as enquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

Author Unknown

December Featured Inspiration

Treasured Traditions

'HO, HO, HO,' boomed Dad waking the kids on Christmas morning, and always at an outlandish hour. Like before sunrise! The child in him couldn't wait any longer, and he would . . . read more >>>

An Inspirational Gift this Christmas

Beautiful flowers make an uplifting and inspiring Christmas gift for that special person who has made a difference in your life, so please take a few minutes to review this wonderful selection of Christmas flower arrangements . . . Christmas Flowers >>>

Every day is Christmas

Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find

When you don't need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned to see the friendship in someone else's eyes.

When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervour of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like 'you' and less with 'I' and 'me'.

When it's fun to do a favour, and to lend a helping a hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter, if you're first or if you're last.

When you can face your conscience and be glad of who you are,
Then every day is Christmas, for you'll have friends near and far.

Author Unknown

- Inspirational Quote -

The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers
Deepak Chopra

View more Inspirational Quotes >>>

Editors Note

Acknowledgement and Apology

Since publishing InspirEmail No 170 on November 30th, 2009 - several of the subscribers to InspirEmail wrote to me to say that the poem I published entitled 'It doesn't interest me ' is called 'The Invitation' and is written by Oriah - Mountain Dreamer. I would like to acknowledge the author and apologise for not providing the correct title - you can visit the website where the story is posted at . . . Oriah Mountain Dreamer >>>

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