“Christmas is here everywhere.
Christmas is here is you care.
If there is love in your heart and your mind,
You will feel like Christmas all the time.”
(Writers: Mariah Carey, James Horner and Will Jennings; Singer: Faith Hill)
***
*Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Last year I created Christmas cheer. I needed it. I needed a year to recover. I needed a reason to get my mind off life’s curve balls and back on to the reason for the season.
This year, I am grateful for peace. I am grateful for normal. I am grateful that my biggest worry is which paycheck I will use to cover which gift. I am grateful for a decluttered Christmas schedule.
In searching out the source of this newly discovered peace, I found that peace should always accompany the Christmas spirit. As a result, I should be able to carry Christmas all year long.
If I can carry peace, then I can carry Christmas. If I can live in peace, the I can live in a perpetual state of Christmas.
But how? How can I make this happen?
***
For anyone seeking to create a life filled with the Christmas spirit…
For anyone seeking a life filled with peace…
I offer you the simplest list I have ever dared to share:
1. Give
Share what you have to offer with others. Walk in your purpose. Give your time. Give your money. Give your gifts – tangible and intangible. Give of yourself. Expect nothing in return.
2. Adopt an attitude of gratitude
Appreciate what life has given you. Yes, it has hurt you at times, but it had also made you smile. Mine has given me a loving husband, three beautiful children, a personality that oozes “merry and bright,” a community of friends, and so much more. One of my friends, Ruth at planted by living water, actually blogs once a day about why she is grateful. When you focus on what you have, you realize that you have all that you need for the moment.
3. Love
I will end where I began, “when there is love in your heart and your mind, you will feel like Christmas all the time.” (Source). Love is always the answer. Love actually overflows into giving. It creates the attitude of gratitude.
Love came to earth in human form. We celebrate Him on Christmas day. Love died on a cross and rose three days later. Love wants to take up a permanent space in our lives from now until forever.
***
So whenever you lose your way, whenever you cannot find Christmas spirit, start giving. If you cannot find anything to give, start listing why you are grateful. If you cannot find any reason to be grateful, start loving. If you cannot find anyone to love, accept love. Embrace love. Know that you are loved.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
***
What are some ways that you carry the Christmas spirit year round?
Comment below or connect with me: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat: mrsbonnaffons.
Leave your email so that I can send lifestyle strategies straight to your inbox.
Check out some other pieces on the holidays:
- Minimalist Christmas Guide
- Decluttering Your Priorities this Minimalist Christmas
- 20 Ways to Create Christmas Cheer
- How to Give Back this Holiday Season
If you liked what you read, please share with your friends, family, and followers.
ordinarilyextraordinarymom 
In all the ways you mentioned above I try to carry the Christmas spirit year round. Sometimes just stopping and counting your blessings one by one helps to have a heart of gratitude. It’s so easy to focus on the things that are going wrong but when we do we miss all the things that are going right. The Grateful T-shirt looks great on you. Thanks again for being so supportive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great list! Giving always makes me feel the Christmas spirit year round. Volunteering my time to help others brings me such Joy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are so right! I was just talking to a friend of mine about being intentional with taking my kids to volunteer so they could better learn how to give back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
To live with the Christmas spirit all year round is a worthy goal! And you shared wonderful tips!
LikeLike
So good, Brittany! I’ve been thinking about this too…I want to carry this attitude of anticipation and celebration into the rest of the year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping to reference back to this over and over throughout the year and do a check-in. Maybe I should do some calendar reminders.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Pics and Posts and commented:
Fall 2019 is O-V-E-R! The grades are in, and I’m a couple of short reports away from winter break. I am beyond exhausted–too tired to write a post–so I’m sharing a post by my Brittany of Ordinarily Extraordinary Mom. In this post she offers three ways to carry the Christmas spirit all year. As I turn my attention fully toward family and holiday preparations, Brit’s Christmas spirit is just what I need to spark a little holiday magic. Maybe, this post will do the same for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I needed to read this the most todah. I always go through these phases of feeling like I need to “reset” the feeling of being in a positive mind frame instead of recognizing an off day as an off day. I definitely will be practicing gratitude more! Loved this so much ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Girl! It goes such a long way. Resets are good. I have to do them ALL the time!! Some days are off days, but others need a reset. Balance is so delicate, and gratitude definitely puts things in perspective ❤️
LikeLike
I love, love! this post! And I feel so loved and encouraged that you shared my blog!
❤ ❤ Smiles and Hugs Thank you so much! 😀 You made my day!
A list of 3 things: so simple yet so hard to do! It definitely takes daily intentionality, daily surrender of self, daily purposefully remembering how blessed we are and how loved we are so that we can pour out that love and those blessings to others!
I love your ending paragraphs, and John 3:16 is such a perfect verse for that section. Indeed, we are able to love because He loved us first! ❤ ❤
Way to go on this post, sister! Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe! You are so kind Ruth!! I love what you’re doing with your blog. I don’t get to read it daily, but I can always catch a few good ones every time I visit every few days. Keep doing what you’re doing. Gratefulness is so important and goes such a long way!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Brittany! I’m glad you like it and are able to read some of them!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Yes, it does! It’s very energizing and lifts the spirit! ☺
LikeLike
As usual, uplifting words and practical strategies. The giving of self is something I’ve struggled with since my autoimmune disease took over my health. I used to pour myself out daily. Now my illness demands that I reserve stores for functioning. I leave myself rebound time. The fact that strength must be measured and doled out can be discouraging. I feel as if I can’t entirely engage. I can love, though, when I have nothing to give. Words and encouragement can be offered when strength is gone. Eyes on Jesus, walking in his steps, giving as he leads is the Christmas strategy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! You can only give what you have. We all have limitations in different areas of our lives that require that we depend completely on God for his direction and strength for us to follow where He leads. Merry Christmas Melinda ❤️💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The basis of Christmas is God. The holiday is much too commercial now. I chose love then everything else follows. Take care. And please read more from my blogs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Love goes such a long way in any season ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brittany this was an amazing read. I loved every bit!! Thabk you for sharing. I totally agree with this.
LikeLike
Great list!! And what beautiful, fun pictures!!! Hoping your Christmas was blessed and your new year will be also!!
LikeLiked by 1 person