When It Feels Like Christmas

I remember when I was younger, I busted through the seams with excitement each year the first time I knew my mom and aunt went off Christmas shopping and I couldn’t go.  I knew what that meant–presents for ME!  That put the thrill of Christmas in my mind as early as November.

This afternoon, my mom and aunt (all these years later), just returned from a shopping trip.  That is no longer the standard I base my feelings of Christmas on.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found the joy in giving and seeing others being blessed.

My church just finished a successful Angel Tree campaign.  They are also taking part in giving safe drinking water to people who desperately need it.  Things like these and the spirit of blessing others make it feel like Christmas.

There is also an annual event that my workplace hosts that really  brings the Christmastime feeling to my doorstep.  It is the MCG Cares for Kids Radiothon.  For 10 years, this event has been broadcast on WBBQ, and countless lives have been impacted due to generous hearts of others.

Rather than I recap it–based on my experiences from behind a board in the studio–take a look at the thoughts of someone who was on the floor, broadcasting live from the MCG Children’s Medical Center for the first time, Courtney Starr.

I still like presents, but these days, I look forward to giving as well as receiving.  And seeing people’s gifts at work to change lives is such an incredible thing.  It’s when this happens that Christmas arrives.