
~ If Christmas is accumulating debt that isn't paid off until the following summer, then we aren't having one.
~ If Christmas is a table laden with food that will be pushed down the garbage disposal the following week, then we aren't having one.
~ If Christmas is a tree stuffed with presents that are the main focus, making everything else meaningless, then we aren't having one.
~ If Christmas is faking smiles over gifts you don't like and wondering how much it cost so that you can return it, then we aren't having one.
~ If Christmas is even one person in the room feeling ashamed or embarrassed because they couldn't afford the "A-list" gifts, then we aren't having one.
But...
~ If Christmas is tired family jokes and stories of Christmases past,
then we
are having one.
~ If Christmas is smiling eyes sparkling in the candlelight,
then we
are having one.
~ If Christmas is everyone laughing at the cat,
then we
are having one.
~ If Christmas is a family making the best of a financial emergency that is not our fault,
then we
are having one.
~ If Christmas is music and laughter and making the most of what we do have, and not focusing on what we do not,
then we
are having one.
Presents under the tree isn't Christmas, I've had presents and no one to open them with me.
A feast is not Christmas, I've sat alone on a park bench eating Chinese take-away for Christmas.
Spending money isn't Christmas, I've gone into debt buying gifts that no one appreciated.
Christmas is family, friends, togetherness, music, laughter and most of all, love.