Our 2014 Christmas Message to our Readers

I wanted to take a moment this Christmas Eve day to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas. Our holiday newsletter was sent out yesterday (give it a read if you haven’t already) and we will resume our regular activities on Friday, December 26. I just wanted to share a few things with you below before I head out to do some last minute Christmas shopping.

Christmas Giveaways

I’ll be pulling the winner of the Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Kit Giveaway this evening, so keep your eye on the Winner’s Circle page to find out if you were randomly chosen as the winner! Most of our sponsors will be closed the remainder of this week and working with a limited staff next week as well. We will facilitate getting your prizes to you with our sponsors as quickly as possible. As always, you can email me if you have any questions.

Your Emotional Meter During the Holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, especially for those who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling, family member or dear friend this year. Know that you are not alone. Sadness and depression affect millions during the holidays. Two years ago, my own family had to celebrate our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without my father. It’s hard, but you can make it through. Our newsletter has some tips to help you get through the season. Several of my friends are dealing with the loss of siblings and family members, some as recent as this week, and we want them to know that our hearts and prayers are with them during this time. 

The Reason for the Season

I used to be absolutely fanatical about the holidays – making sure everything went according to plan, that there were tons of presents for the kids to open. I was living a rich woman’s fantasy Christmas on a pauper’s budget and stressing myself out unbearably. Please don’t be like me.

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and not about having the hottest toy of the year, the latest video game, the newest clothing. It is about celebrating the reason for the season – the birth of our Savior who was born unto a virgin, come to live among us, as one of us, and eventually die on the cross to save you and I so that we might have everlasting life with our Father in heaven.

That is what I am focusing on this year, and we even have a birthday cake to celebrate Jesus’ birth tomorrow. Whether you believe in God or not, please do not fall prey to the symbolism and commercialism of the season. It is a time of love, peace, and joy – towards the neighbor who never speaks a word to you, the homeless man who stands on the corner every day asking you for a few coins, for forgiving those who have done you wrong, for “letting it all go” whatever it is you are holding on to, and for just one day, if no longer, living in peace and harmony with the rest of the world.

I wish each of you a very joyous and happy Christmas. I am off to brave the last minute shopping madness at the mall and the local stores. I’ll see you on the other side of Christmas.

Love and Blessings to you,