Happy Heartidays!

     I shoveled some snow this week.  Five inches on Sunday morning, and three more today.  My back doesn't like shoveling snow, and I usually take an over-the-counter something to ease my pain.  Its not often I have to do that.  God has blessed me with some mostly-pain-free years lately, and I am very grateful for that.
     I sat down to blog, with no direction in mind.  Something would come to mind.  I read back over the titles of my recent blogs, and realized I've been a little critical in my writings lately.  With good reason, of course, but not every moment needs to be spent criticizing.  So I thought about life lately, and what I could be positive about.
     Thanksgiving is done with, and we are headed full-bore into Christmas, but as I sit here, I am thankful.  Thankful that I have pain relievers in the medicine cabinet.  Thankful that I am still able to handle the shoveling.  Thankful that I have a small driveway.  And I felt like it was still Thanksgiving.  Make a list of things to be thankful for.  The people in my life to be thankful for.  God, always watching over me, to be thankful for.  And now I don't want Thanksgiving to be over.
     The same will happen with Christmas.  I like the holiday.  I like most of what goes with it.  It, like every other holiday, can get a little commercially, but through most of it are those things I enjoy about the season.  And when its done, its done for a whole year.  And I'll miss it, too.
     But when I look at what I celebrate, why I celebrate, I know it never has to be over.  I am thankful to God for his undeserved blessings in my life.  I am thankful that He sent Jesus to be born.  I am thankful that He sent Jesus to die, and rise again.  I am thankful for the love of my wife.  I am thankful for this great independence that my country has.  I am thankful for those that have given their lives for this great country.  I am thankful for birthdays, not just mine and those I love, but the great men that championed our greatness. 
     A holiday is, after all, a holy day.  A day set aside for remembering, for gathering, for celebrating.  The reason for the holiday, the deep meaning, is one that can be celebrated at any time.  It all depends on where we focus our hearts.  By keeping the holidays holy in our hearts, and not drowning in the trappings of societal constructs, we refuse to simply participate, but continue to breathe life into these special times.   
     So this holiday season, be grateful for what you have, thank a veteran, love the one who has captured your heart, and for every day that isn't your birthday, be thankful you still have a chance to see the next one.  And as far as Christmas goes, look to the baby who spent his first night in a food dish.  Love has come, and his name is Jesus.