I sat down this morning and found myself thinking about what Christmas means to me.

I have so many fond memories of when I was younger. My fondest was hearing Mum and Dad wrapping presents (not being very quiet I might add) and then asking why they were doing Santa’s job! We went from family member’s house to family member’s house – brunch at one person’s, then Christmas dinner at another’s. All the celebrations were filled with cousins and Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents keen to give us a lot of love.

For many years, when the kids were little, it was filled with early lay-bys and shopping trips to toy warehouses. Trying to move money around to give the kids a special Christmas, money always came from somewhere.

Now that these kids are so much older, it is really only the 4 of us and my mum that celebrate together. I have brought in new traditions. The kids’ handmade stockings from when they were very little still taking pride of place under the tree. The tree is a very small twig fashioned one to save space.

But one thing remains for me – the love we share. For me Christmas is about love. Love of the close friends I have surrounded myself with. The love that is shown between the family members in our household. The love we share for those who are long gone and the love we try to show to mend bridges between those we have fallen out with.

This year more than any, I am going to celebrate this amazing love I have around me. The one that gives me such happiness that I am filled with abundant gratefulness.

Blessings to all of you during this time. I really do hope you have some love around you during this season of hope.