Do You Have Christmas In Your Heart?

A few weeks ago I went to the grocery and when I walked in I couldn’t help but notice the young mom ringing the Salvation Army bell, or trying to ring it. She had two small children with her and they wanted to ring it. She gave them the bell and they were ringing with such enthusiasm that I couldn’t resist putting something in the bucket.

Yesterday I went back to the same store and this time there was an older lady ringing the bell. Her face clearly said, “I don’t want to be here.” She rang the bell as if she would like to bean someone with it. I couldn’t make myself give her any money, even though I felt like I should.

I don’t know what caused the lady to look like she’d just lost her best friend, but I do know that her attitude caused me to examine my own.

What do people think when they see me out shopping? Do I look tired? Frustrated? or both? When I’m standing in long lines do I look like I want to bean someone with my purse? I hope not.

My mom told me many times that my Grandmother Bell was fond of saying “Kindness doesn’t cost anything.”
She was right. Smiles are free and our faces look much more pleasant when wearing a smile than they do when we frown.

Someone once said, “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

I think that someone was right.

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  4. Prayers for a Friend’s Aching Heart

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5 Comments

  1. Your Grandmother was a wise woman. The mood I am in is displayed on my face. A welcoming, kind mood brings back smiles and warmth. I try to always remember that when I am around others. Thanks for the reminder. 😀

  2. Have you ever been having a really bad day, only to have someone (usually a total stranger) smile or say something kind and turn your whole day around? I have. I try to remind myself of that when I’m out and about and would rather not be, or when I run across a grumpy cashier. Put a smile on your face and sometimes your whole attitude will change – and with it, maybe you’ll change someone else’s as well.

  3. I do have Christmas in my heart! It’s just buried under a to-do list right now. My stepmom called me the other day and said “Don’t be too busy to remember the reason!” I already told myself today, “No matter how much you have to get done, do it with a smile.” I’m going to try really, really hard! Thank you for this post. It is such a great reminder. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

  5. Thank you for the reminder about having Jesus in your heart. I try to carry a good attitude in my heart and on my face whenever I am in public. Often I talk to perfect strangers and get to say nice and encouraging things to them. I also am now making sure that it is maintained in the privacy of my singleness as an over-65 lady. When I am alone, I often ask myself out loud, “Are you o.k.?” I used to say emphatically “NO,” but one day I reminded myself that I was fine because I have Jesus and everything I need and more.
    Today, I will go out and be good financially to some people, beginning with a girlfriend who I know wonders where her grandsons gifts are coming from.

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