The gift of belonging at Christmastime

The sights and sounds of Christmas wake our senses. You can see Christmas. You can hear Christmas. But, most of all, you can actually feel it. As the day gets closer, we might even be longing for it to arrive. So, what better time to remind ourselves about belonging.

The spirit that accompanies Christmas is not exclusively reserved for those who believe that something divine happened. Christmas seems to change the ordinary into tender treasures that belong to anyone who reaches for them.

-candlelight that suddenly glows with peace as well as light;

-music that you can feel as well as hear;

-laughter that pulls you toward it and invites you in;

-joy that takes happiness to another level;

-anticipation that is not anxious but hopeful;

-giving that suddenly comes so easily.

-.and a world that beckons you to your often neglected inner child.

These are just a few of the things that you can belong to at Christmas.

Oh, just one more thing:

As we wrap ourselves around the notion that Christmas belongs to anyone who welcomes its touch, let’s take it a step further. What if the brightest gift of Christmas is a reminder that we all belong to each other. We all got here the same way. We all were given a first breath; we’ll all take a last one. Somewhere between that precious pair of breaths, the belonging seems to become so ordinary that we fail to notice it.

There aren’t many things in life that are infinite. Belonging is the exception. You belong when you’re here; you belong when you’re not. Belonging never ends. Can we just say belonging is sovereign? Imagine a world where everyone believed they belonged to each other.

Belong to all those you love this Christmas - and let them know it.

Ron Bearwald

Northbrook