Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas....

This year, my very dear friend shared with me her favorite Christmas Carol, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  She said she chokes up every time she hears it.  I never really thought of it or paid much attention to the words so I listened to my iTunes.  The lyrics go like this (just in case you are like me and never really paid attention):

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – lyrics

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

She shared that with me about a week before Christmas and it stuck with me.   I think that's what I like the best about Christmas.  For just a bit we all stop and embrace the Christmas Spirit.  We open our hearts and hands a little wider and forget about the many troubles that each of us face in our daily lives.  For a few days differences are forgotten, truces are agreed upon, and love is given freely. 

I am ashamed to admit though that this hasn't always been my focus.  Yes, I've always loved the holidays.  Presents under the tree, cookies baking in the oven, and parties galore.  All of those things have always been so enjoyable for me, but for the last few years I haven't let the joy of the Season be my focus.  I focused more on what was missing in my life.  And by missing I mean a husband and a family.  Each Thanksgiving I would begin my Bridget Jones "All by Myself" act.  To see what I mean check out this clip to give you a full picture. ;)  I would tell my married friends and family that this was a hard time of year for me...that being single at the holidays...well...sucks.  But another good friend of mine said to me recently..."Erin, you've gotta let it go.  You think of nothing else and you've got to let God be in control."   I realized that I was so hyper focused on the fact that I was alone at the holidays that I missed out on a lot of the little joys of the season.

And so with these simple reminders I made a decision to simplify this Christmas, worry less about the gifts and more about the time spent with the people in my life.  I realized quickly just how many great and wonderful people I have in my life.   When I changed my focus I realized I really wasn't alone at all.  I have two loving parents, my brother and his family, and numerous wonderful friends.  My heart was lighter and I enjoyed a new perspective of the holidays. 

I learned that sometimes our focus gets a little off.  My fixation with being alone made me miss the truth.  The truth that I am surrounded by many loving and caring people.  My hopes of meeting someone remain, and God keeps reminding me in little ways that He indeed has a plan.  But this holiday season I am choosing to focus on the present...the people in my life now.  And oh, how blessed I truly am!