Christmas comes to me nevertheless—and my heart overflows with a gratitude & joy that mere words cannot completely describe.  Most often I catch that spirit of Christmas from music or a story (written or upon the screen), sometimes in witnessing the kindness of others, or in observing generosity & acts of faith by those living the spirit.  Sometimes Christmas comes to me with only days to spare until the holiday itself, or if I’m lucky, a couple weeks in advance.  

Thus Christmas came to me today.  In music. Driving along, Ed Sheeran’s  Perfect played on the radio; I love this song, in fact it was integral in a recent chapter of fic I published, as I aimed for the chapter to elicit the same of soft, romantic sentiments in the reader, as that song awakens in me.  Frankly, I misted up a bit; Sheeran’s words and melody, combined with the tender sentiment in his voice always hit me squarely in the feels.  So I was already reflecting on the beauty of such love, when Daughter turned on Pentatonix’s Christmas CD, and their unique version of O, Come All Ye Faithful peeled forth.  I’ve never been too fond of their upbeat, sort of tropical sounding, rendition—but today, with my heart already softened--I felt the wonder, joy, gratitude and love, expressed for God’s greatest gift to mankind.  I felt it in my chest, so achingly beautiful that it had to find release, and I cried the happiest of tears, knowing I had found my Christmas groove at last.

Now I know not everyone is a believer in the Christian lexicon; raised a Roman Catholic, but with life experiences that have widened my eyes to other faiths & beliefs, I am not so narrow minded as to think “our” way is the only way.  But I adore the Nativity Story for all that it symbolizes; the triumph of love in the face of adversity; the benevolence of a loving Supreme Being (one from whom we come & to whence we go); the idea that worldly glory is insignificant in comparison to true humility & selfless service.  Indeed, I often think of it in terms that need no religious connotations, calling this a celebration of the coming of the Light, the Power of Love, into our world, in despite of darkness and selfishness.  Ultimately, this what Christmas means to me—and to share this simple joy with those I love.