Christmas & Easter --Hallmark & Lifetime Movies--Nana and Grandpa's Nativity

Christmas and Easter are so tied together.. Without Easter, Christmas would have no meaning. Easter makes Christmas as important as it is.
Christmas has –as many spiritually important / religious holy days have become now—less valued for the religious significance. However, for many of us the true meaning lives on—because of Easter.

Even without as much religious significance generally, for many of us Christmas, with the lights and decorations and the music, is still a beautiful time –and for many of us—especially if we try to live lives where Easter is “celebrated” –or “observed”—or lived ( as closely as we can learn to ) everyday—Christmas can be “celebrated / observed / lived” every day of the year.

And for those of us who claim to be Christians, followers of God through Jesus, our call is to live Easter everyday of our lives. The two days are tied together –to truly be lived every day.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas / Holiday ( am thankful networks and channels are finally paying attention to Hannukah –and waiting for other faith traditions to be recognized via movies and programs too—and are finally getting more diverse in their casting ) movies and programs. Thankful for DVR and DVD’S!

These movies are escapes from the depressing and disturbing world we live in. I escape often—many times per week in fact—“into” these movies ..to lift my heart and soul..or just quiet my heart and soul.

Beyond that –movies –and white lights ( up in my office and family room throughout the year ) and a few other Christmas / holiday decorations—MOST especially ( for decades and decades ) the Nativity that my grandpa made that has also served as my focus point for prayer—remind me and emphasize that Christmas and Easter are to be lived every day of the year!

We don’t love God—or love our neighbors—respect, tolerate, care for, and pray for our neighbors just a few times a year—or just on Sunday. We are called to love God and each other every day throughout our lives here on earth
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Grandpa’s ( and Nana’s ) Nativity, the white lights and the decorated ( with white lights ) tree, the music I play often throughout the year, are all part of sort of a daily “service” –an ongoing – sometimes all day–religious service.

The movies are not only pleasant ways to escape the bleak reality around us—but also gentle reminders of what we are called to be.
I grew up in what was not such a pleasant home –a violent home. Early on, and especially once I was on my own at 17, I learned to “create” quiet—“create a “focus for prayer” area in wherever I lived, to decorate in a way that made me feel peaceful –and to watch what would make me feel positive …and away from the “noise” of life.
Perhaps you did too? I’ve met so many people who certainly did not grow up –or may have lived in—not so pleasant homes during part of their lives. Whether that applies to you –or if you are blessed to have not experienced that kind of situation—finding ways and places to be calm –find positivity –peace—and maybe a particular place to pray ( someday I’ll write about the movie: The War Room ) –can be so important –and tying Christmas and Easter together with TODAY in our lives becomes a daily mental and prayerful lifestyle.