Do you have a big heart? Some people have huge hearts. They seem to have enough love, compassion, generosity, and empathy for everyone who crosses their path. Have you ever thought about increasing your heart size? Love like never before this Christmas. Set out to grow your heart three sizes this year.
Welcome back to Best Christmas Ever. We are exploring 28 ways to make this an amazing Christmas!
#28 is… Everyone knows that love is the only way.
James Taylor is one of the great singer songwriters of the past 100 years. He was discovered by none other than the Beatles and was the first artist to record with the Beatles record label.
His lyrics are brilliant in their ability to capture ordinary life and entwine it with profound insights into the human experience and spirit.
“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
Any fool can do it, there ain't nothing to it…
“The secret of love is in opening up your heart.
It's okay to feel afraid, but don't let that stand in your way…
Everyone knows that love is the only way. It’s true. It’s true on two counts. It’s true that love is the only way, and it’s true that everyone knows that. We forget it, ignore it, avoid it, neglect it, and get entangled in our selfishness, but somewhere deep inside we know that love is the one true path.
Christmas is an epic moment of love. It is the moment when history stood still and out of infinite love God came into the world and placed himself right in the middle of our mess.
The mess was vast. The mess is vast. It is caused when we choose some path other than love.
We all have love wounds. If we are going to love more than ever before we might need to explore our love wounds. Love lost. Love withheld. Love betrayed. Love neglected.
What did you have to do to receive love as a child?
What conditions do you place on your love?
What do your friends, children, spouse, partner have to do to receive your love?
The real magic of Christmas is God’s love.
It is found in that peaceful moment of connection with God…
The tender carefree timelessness with family…
The laughter of a family around the dinner table…
The sheer excitement and delight of children rushing to the tree Christmas morning in search of their gifts…
It is found in one neighbor’s concern for another…
And in the feeling of rejuvenation that settles into your soul through the giving and receiving of unconditional love.
This Christmas grow your heart three sizes. Speak your love. Speak it again. If you struggle to speak your love, write a note, or write a letter. Do not let Christmas pass without letting the people you love know just how much you love them.
Go into this Christmas season as if it were your last. Make it your best Christmas ever by treasuring it as if it were your last. Death puts life in perspective. If you knew you were going to depart this life before next Christmas, what would you make sure you did this Christmas?
Matthew Kelly
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