A “family gathering at Christmas” is not determined by distance, it’s a mental connection in Spirit. Our last family “get-together” was a couple of weeks ago for Brother Michael’s funeral. Afterward, I was delighted to meet his oldest daughter, Natasha. Her name has been added to the family email list.
Because this season expresses peace, joy and the gift of love, let’s connect again… out of affection and gratitude. Gather around the fireplace of warmth.
Talks at a Family Gathering at Christmas
A family gathering at Christmas should understand what one person means when using words like “Christmas” and “Christ;” this article supplies its meanings. I believe “Christmas” comes from the word “Christ.” and have tried to capture that meaning in the video below. It is titled “Christ Can Be Reflected.” Therefore, “Christ” is defined as “the divine manifestation of God that comes to human thought and dissolves everything that is unlike God, while “reflection” means that which expresses God; that which is the “image and likeness of God.” It is understandable you may have other meanings for these words.
Family Gratitude
Gratitude is a key ingredient in positive family relationships because it allows us to embrace “togetherness,” respect individual differences and recognize that we are “one family held in the Gospel of Love.”
When exchanging principles and ideas, let’s remember other family members may have contrasting viewpoints. Holding in conversation that one is right and the other wrong, does not create productive discussions. Learning to “agree to disagree” is a better way to keep the conversation going. (All of Robert and Oneita’s children are highly opinionated).
Individual Growth
Because family progress is rooted in individual growth, and growth comes from experience, not from empty words without proof, it is incumbent upon us to search our inner selves and root out human frailties. Each day is an opportunity to seize that growth and fulfill the work God has for us. Persistence, patience and perseverance aid immensely in achieving that goal. Consequently, holding on to divine laws and ideas, enable us to “weather the storms of life” and demonstrate the spiritual reality of being. Faith without works, is like a house without a foundation. It withstands “nothing.”
A Family Gathering at Christmas Photo Connection
Take a glimpse of the “human features” that make us Fergusons and Dotsons.
Memories of My Family
Because I read the sentence “A family is more than a sum of its parts,” I took a step backward and revived some of my fondest childhood memories. Growing up in a household of several brothers and sisters, money was scare but “family provision” abundant.
One of my heartwarming memories, is running to my shoe box under the Christmas tree to discover what Santa had left. Resting in that box were one apple, an orange, six or seven walnuts, a few pecans and a handful of raisins. Next to the box was a toy stove. I screamed with joy! And… guess what? The oven door on the stove actually opened! I had never seen anything like that before. It was simply amazing! This recollection brought tears to my eyes because I knew Mom and Dad had sacrificed “so much” to get “so little.” Then. . . just maybe … seeing their children “screaming happiness on Christmas morning,” was the greatest gift of all!
Sometimes, we forget Christmas is not about material gifts, it’s about the gift of love that has infinite ways of expressing itself.
Merry Christmas Family! May peace, joy and love fill your days!
P.S. For photos to be placed on this site, please send them to smithmamie@ymail.com.