Yeah.. the Christmas spirit surely lingers everywhere these days. You can see it, hear it, taste it, smell it but most of all ...FEEL it. I can, can you?
Have you ever thought of what it really means? I did for so many times, I've asked my folks about it and they've always just tells me about this "Christmas Spirit " and the 25th day of the Calendar. When I moved here, I found out the Dutch actually have two days marked on the calendar for it - the 25th and the 26th. Confusing now? Not really, like the many of you I chose to have my own belief of Christmas because it's allowed and here it is.
The story behind it: Anne likes strolling around her place so she got familiarized with the many faces in her neighborhood and strangers that would sometimes take shelter under the viaduct, the bridge, the park or the train station. Peculiar you may say but every time the month marked "Christmas " in the calendar comes, she goes around carrying boxes of clothes or a bag full of groceries. For some reason she knows, someone could make use of them.
It's not because she thinks it should be done or that she's obliged to give a gift around though she was conditioned to. It's just some sort of an instinct of knowing that somewhere out there in this season, one is suffering from cold, hunger, loneliness and poverty. Though Anne knows she could only help a few and that food banks and the shelter for the homeless are always open and available where she is, ready to assist, she's also aware that the conversations among souls there doesn't really go deep. What some people call bottom feeders are human for Anne and like her, they too, long for attention, or even a small sincere gesture of saying; "I see you, talk to me."
Though Anne keeps the conversation to hopeful and funny moments with them souls under those viaduct or where ever else she finds them, she keeps it real. Not because she's a saint, she's an empath and she has lived both worlds of being one of those that "have" and "have not". She gives gifts them gifts that she herself could eat or wear and never something she herself won't like to receive.
Oh, she's read a line similar to that somewhere in what Christians call the Bible. Her house, never adorned with Christmas decors, her facade is decorated with the mere plants she has on it but Anne could be found dining out with her husband instead, making merry and sharing every moment with him making sure she could make him feel her love, spend the night out playing till they tire and sleeps deep in the night during that marked day on the calendar when the fuzz is all around, waking up the next day all fresh and never stressed out.
When those red marked dates arrive, Anne doesn't have a feast on her table, nor a lit tree surrounded with gifts she does have a fireplace full of cards some self made and signed by ... some people she doesn't even know but mind you, she delights in the thought that somewhere in a nook an ignored soul has something to eat perhaps, enough to make them oblivious to the possible longing that they, too could have a turkey and a feast to share with several souls.
The story behind it : Sam like Anne doesn't go with the flow most of the world gets carried away into in this time of the year. He though, takes his kid Jimmy to doing the groceries and lets him help his wife to cooking warm food for the children selling lanterns in the route he often takes on his way back home from work. He would let his son give it to them himself and have always reminded to give it to them with a smile. His son helps him and his wife pack all the goodies they're giving those kids away every year. Nothing fancy, just fruits, their favorite buns, some fried drumsticks, cause which kid doesn't like drumsticks and mineral water.
They are aware that some of kids are being managed by either their abusive parents or a group of syndicate so they never gave them cash. In some normal months, they do give them clothes and slippers. Nothing fancy just clean and never torn nor patched. Sam and his whole family are also oriented that that red marked date on the calendar means feast at the table, exchange gifts and money shower but like Anne above, they don't observe any of those. Of course, Sam regularly gifts his wife and son because he believes in loving ones' self first is a confirmation that you can extend love to others. Makes sense, how can you say you can love when you don't even love yourself?
Sam belongs to a huge extended family and somehow they consider him the black sheep for not bothering sending them gifts nor money nor food for this time of the year. Oh! Not even a card! Sam used to suffer from their rants about it a lot till he finally accepted that everyone has their own rights to observe this time of the year and so does he and explaining to them is no use. He knows, they would never accept any reason he gives them because they want him to do what they want him to do for them and Sam is pretty much of a strong head so you can already guess he won't give in to their demands.
He doesn't argue about it to them though because he's learned to let it be. He neither worries that they will be feeling bad about not getting any thing from him this time of the month because they all come together to a huge feast and gift giving to show him what they think he's missing and Jimmy is fine with that. For some reason, he's found peace in his heart letting them be.
His wife gets him and somehow appreciates that Sam is so because she was freed from all the stress she used to go through trying to find the right gifts, cooking her best recipe and going through all that decorating the tree and tidying up the whole stuff away. She's also very glad that they're electric bills don't soar up like cyrptos do during this time of the year. She and Sam and perhaps little Jimmy delights in the smile and sometimes tears a kid sheds, when he gives them their bag of goodies.
As a family somehow they're doing a different conditioning for Jimmy that Christmas isn't just one day and that it's spirit is okay to linger any other time of the month when needed and all the other commercialized things that go along with it does not necessarily define it. That it's the act of giving not defined nor dictated by a set ritual or date the majority of the society observes. It's the act of spreading kindness and love true to its own intent without the expectation of having it returned or profiting from it. It's every positive adjective you could find in the dictionary or any language one speaks.
I, too resonate with Anne and Sam but I do respect that you or your family observe it so here's to wishing you a warm, full of love and peaceful December holidays. Remember, the world is not just all about you and it doesn't end in your own roof or extended family alone. Before this becomes a litany and since I dislike reading a post that sounds like a sermon with emphasized repeated text which I don't learn anything from let me just show you the screenshots of the process I took in creating them. Yeah, I made this in my other smartphone's film maker cause my Note 1's OS isn't compatible to it anymore damn updates!
This content's 100% mine. I drew the pics on my Samsung Galaxy Note 1 and bluetoothed the screenshots to my other smartphone so that's to clarify why the file says download folder to those who double checks my picture . My android phones creates a folder titled download for any item bluetoothed to any of it.
Are you new in Steemit? Kindly read the Complete Steemit Etiquette Guide Revised Edition authored by @thecryptofiend to help us all get along well with each other. Hopefully you do get to read it now since there's nothing else that comes after it except that picture below.
You touch my feelings when I read what you write and
your drawings are incredible @englishtchrivy
Christmas times are tough for many people and for those who are alone without their family.
Many Children's Families also struggle during the Christmas season, even though they live in countries with good prosperity.
The pressure is too big for those when Christmas comes and spending money on extra food and gifts that they can not afford. Unfortunately, young people grow up today to a tradition created by the trade industry and not what we really should celebrate with Jesus' birth.
So many grow up and see Jesus's birth only as a story and Christmas just becomes a tradition of presents and good food.
But Christmas brings people and families together and there are many associations in Norway that have open Christmas Eve for the single, homeless and drug addicts and they are served Christmas food free of charge. Christmas also brings a lot of joy to many.
But that was not what you asked about as I have written.
I learned early on Bible history in elementary school and about the three visemen who came to Bethlehem get to see the Jews king who was born of Virgin Mary. On their way they followed what we today call Bethlehem the star to see the son of God. They found Jesus the child in a stall lying in a manger. With them they had gold, incense and myrrh to shout the new king.
what these associations do is similar to what many NGOs and community clubs do here
I hope they also take the aged into consideration :)
as for the story of the three kings visiting and granting gifts to the boy in the manger, I think like the singles, living alone, widowed and widowers, homeless and the less privileged in the society resonate with the pain and the simplicity of the Jews' king that day, humble but divine, serene and very peaceful.
Your beautiful heart based story brought to mind the principle of 'Live and let live.....for when I let then I live.
The diamond bleujay is holding.....is the precious treasure of eternal life from the Giver of Life...Christ Jesus.
He is the Gift that keeps on Giving....knowing Him gives capacity for life, love and happiness.
During the Christ-mas season....bleujay appreciates any opportunity to point to Christ our Saviour....with this verse.....For you see God loved the world so much that He gave His uniquely born Son that anyone whobelieves in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is 'Faith alone in Christ alone for Salvation.'
exactly! sometimes, it's sad to watch how people go gaga about buying gifts and doing the grocery for the event - it's not what I was taught of as the real meaning of Christmas later in my adult life - in fact, it's that verse you just threw me away! and am glad many still do remember that ;)
Happy Christmas indeed and a prosperous New Year to come full of soaring cryptos :D
I wanted to include that verse but I couldn't remember the verse hahaha
am off, I posted early cause am going out on a date
have a great day mon ami and stay warm!
thanks!
it depends .. my hands sometimes has its own brains hahaha
it doesn't do what I want it to do and does something else it wants
as for the goblin request .. but why?
you don't sound nor read like you're a goblin
are you?
i can see your elf profile
he's cute enough but we'll see
these days my husband and I will be often out like today so I can't post tonight just curating and am not sure I'd have time to draw you one but if I happen to find time I would but I'd just use my phone
taking a pic of one on a sketch pad sucks
the color doesn't look the same
too gloomy these days
Oh, my dear, I strengthen my love for you even more!I have not been celebrating Christmas ever since I decided that I would do every day in my life the most christmas. I never don't decorate my house and I don't prepare Christmas dinner! My husband and I left only one Christmas ceremony for ourselves - We give presentes to children! We do not have our own children, but there are many children in the world who need it!Last year we were in India for Christmas.We just went to the store and bought gifts for all the money we had for children from poor Indian families who lived next door!It was so touching to see their frightened eyes - they were afraid to take it - and their parents stood nearby and lamented, that it is too much.We were invited to the house and eat a pakora!It was nice!
But....
Christmas for us is every day of the year and we understand that we are responsible for all our actions and inaction in this world! I'm happy to know that you share our view of life!
Forgive my English - I'm learning! 😍😘😗😙😚🤗🤗
I would have to agree with you. Christmas should not be just one day a year when we think about others. My family celebrates Christmas very simply. We share our holiday meals with those that would normally be alone. We string a few lights to make dinner look festive for those folks. My family gives to the community all through the year. We have learned to appreciate what we have and to share with those that are less fortunate. It is a relief not to enter the general rat race that are generally called the holidays!
What a beautiful story and the drawings are delightful! I'm my family we never did Santa or gifts were had food family and friends, we played games and at twelve midnight we would put the baby Jesus in his manger sing silent night then put on a play about Jesus being born, I miss that so, merry Christmas and peace and love
An excellent and beautiful article and we love when it's December. Christmas garlands on the streets hang for several weeks. Storefronts around the city were filled with gifts, sweets and toy Santa Clauses with a long white beard and round wire goggles. In the supermarkets play classic tunes and Christmas carols. Before the city council set a huge Christmas tree and decorated with tinsel and red-and-yellow lanterns. In truth, this is a magical holiday! Thank you @englishtchrivy
that's exactly the opposite of what I wrote which you probably did not read
cause you decided to just comment around like you always do
and leave it be and you dont even bother checking when I leave you a reply
nevertheless we both know you don't really like my post
other wise how hard is it to cast even a 1% upvote?
Christmas is not the time and not the time of the year, it is a state of mind. To protect the world, to give good and compassion, this is the true spirit of Christmas.
John Calvin Coolidge Jr.
I fully support these words :) Another is the smell of tangerines and fir branches.
You touch my feelings when I read what you write and
your drawings are incredible @englishtchrivy
Christmas times are tough for many people and for those who are alone without their family.
Many Children's Families also struggle during the Christmas season, even though they live in countries with good prosperity.
The pressure is too big for those when Christmas comes and spending money on extra food and gifts that they can not afford. Unfortunately, young people grow up today to a tradition created by the trade industry and not what we really should celebrate with Jesus' birth.
So many grow up and see Jesus's birth only as a story and Christmas just becomes a tradition of presents and good food.
But Christmas brings people and families together and there are many associations in Norway that have open Christmas Eve for the single, homeless and drug addicts and they are served Christmas food free of charge. Christmas also brings a lot of joy to many.
But that was not what you asked about as I have written.
I learned early on Bible history in elementary school and about the three visemen who came to Bethlehem get to see the Jews king who was born of Virgin Mary. On their way they followed what we today call Bethlehem the star to see the son of God. They found Jesus the child in a stall lying in a manger. With them they had gold, incense and myrrh to shout the new king.
Hope my english is understandable
it is!
crystal clear :)
what these associations do is similar to what many NGOs and community clubs do here
I hope they also take the aged into consideration :)
as for the story of the three kings visiting and granting gifts to the boy in the manger, I think like the singles, living alone, widowed and widowers, homeless and the less privileged in the society resonate with the pain and the simplicity of the Jews' king that day, humble but divine, serene and very peaceful.
thank you for reading ! and happy holidays!
Yes, the old ones are taken into consideration :)
Good holiday days for you too
Thank you for posting dear @englishtchrivy.
Lovely drawings and stories.
Your beautiful heart based story brought to mind the principle of 'Live and let live.....for when I let then I live.
The diamond bleujay is holding.....is the precious treasure of eternal life from the Giver of Life...Christ Jesus.
He is the Gift that keeps on Giving....knowing Him gives capacity for life, love and happiness.
During the Christ-mas season....bleujay appreciates any opportunity to point to Christ our Saviour....with this verse.....For you see God loved the world so much that He gave His uniquely born Son that anyone whobelieves in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is 'Faith alone in Christ alone for Salvation.'
Spilled...... ^_^
Thank you mon ami.....A bientot.
Happy Christ-mas. xox
diamond picked and cherished!
exactly! sometimes, it's sad to watch how people go gaga about buying gifts and doing the grocery for the event - it's not what I was taught of as the real meaning of Christmas later in my adult life - in fact, it's that verse you just threw me away! and am glad many still do remember that ;)
Happy Christmas indeed and a prosperous New Year to come full of soaring cryptos :D
I wanted to include that verse but I couldn't remember the verse hahaha
am off, I posted early cause am going out on a date
have a great day mon ami and stay warm!
great post englishtchrivy!
can you like draw anything you want?
can u draw a christmas goblin for me, so i can use it as avatar?
all the best!
thanks!
it depends .. my hands sometimes has its own brains hahaha
it doesn't do what I want it to do and does something else it wants
as for the goblin request .. but why?
you don't sound nor read like you're a goblin
are you?
i can see your elf profile
he's cute enough but we'll see
these days my husband and I will be often out like today so I can't post tonight just curating and am not sure I'd have time to draw you one but if I happen to find time I would but I'd just use my phone
taking a pic of one on a sketch pad sucks
the color doesn't look the same
too gloomy these days
no probs enjoy time with your hubby
just kidding about sketch;
have fun
ciao!
Oh, my dear, I strengthen my love for you even more!I have not been celebrating Christmas ever since I decided that I would do every day in my life the most christmas. I never don't decorate my house and I don't prepare Christmas dinner! My husband and I left only one Christmas ceremony for ourselves - We give presentes to children! We do not have our own children, but there are many children in the world who need it!Last year we were in India for Christmas.We just went to the store and bought gifts for all the money we had for children from poor Indian families who lived next door!It was so touching to see their frightened eyes - they were afraid to take it - and their parents stood nearby and lamented, that it is too much.We were invited to the house and eat a pakora!It was nice!
But....
Christmas for us is every day of the year and we understand that we are responsible for all our actions and inaction in this world! I'm happy to know that you share our view of life!
Forgive my English - I'm learning! 😍😘😗😙😚🤗🤗
thanks!
the innocent, scared at the same time very excited look I can imagine that! and have seen a lot of those in Asia. The more you want to give right?
your English is fine ! :)
Happy holidays and enjoy your vacay out there!
nice @englishtchrivy
Re-steemed
thanks a lot!
ok @englishtchrivy
very nice art dear friend
thank you
you're very kind
it's pretty simple actually
I would have to agree with you. Christmas should not be just one day a year when we think about others. My family celebrates Christmas very simply. We share our holiday meals with those that would normally be alone. We string a few lights to make dinner look festive for those folks. My family gives to the community all through the year. We have learned to appreciate what we have and to share with those that are less fortunate. It is a relief not to enter the general rat race that are generally called the holidays!
thank you
and cheers to having the same mindset ;)
edit : you should post again :)
I have a few posts in the works, but need a little more time to get photos extra. Thanks for your encouragement!
I see, when you get them up
give me a poke :)
What a beautiful story and the drawings are delightful! I'm my family we never did Santa or gifts were had food family and friends, we played games and at twelve midnight we would put the baby Jesus in his manger sing silent night then put on a play about Jesus being born, I miss that so, merry Christmas and peace and love
hahaha sounds like a great memory :)
I hope you get to have more !
Nicely drawn art beautiful :)
Great job and the story does have a good meaning as well !!
wow that was so beautifully narrated and the art worked liked diamond you are truly the best great talent :)
Thanks a ton for sharing this with us :D
You have explain about cris
This post received a 0.075 SBD (94.97%) upvote from @upvotewhale thanks to @alishannoor! For more information, check out my profile!
An excellent and beautiful article and we love when it's December. Christmas garlands on the streets hang for several weeks. Storefronts around the city were filled with gifts, sweets and toy Santa Clauses with a long white beard and round wire goggles. In the supermarkets play classic tunes and Christmas carols. Before the city council set a huge Christmas tree and decorated with tinsel and red-and-yellow lanterns. In truth, this is a magical holiday! Thank you @englishtchrivy
that's exactly the opposite of what I wrote which you probably did not read
cause you decided to just comment around like you always do
and leave it be and you dont even bother checking when I leave you a reply
nevertheless we both know you don't really like my post
other wise how hard is it to cast even a 1% upvote?
You in your post asked everyone what the "Christmas spirit" is for us and I just told you about it! I still do not understand what offended you!
read that comment again you'd probably understand better
Christmas is not the time and not the time of the year, it is a state of mind. To protect the world, to give good and compassion, this is the true spirit of Christmas.
John Calvin Coolidge Jr.
I fully support these words :) Another is the smell of tangerines and fir branches.
http://maktub.pp.ua/2012/12/26/duh-rozhdestva/
does that image need source?
please dont forget to write it
if its not yours
For many children Christmas is the best time of year :)
@englishtchrivy Thank you For Sharing Following you (y) ^^
Wow this is a very nice art,
amazing art
Excellent articles about Christmas. Nice art.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and a prosperous New Year to you too. A beautiful post along with drawing presented.. thanks for sharing..
Nice artwork! :)
it was fantastic to read thanks for sharing your work amazing :)
Nice story and imagry that works perfect with it. And like they say in "Nederland en Belgie"
Prettige feesten!