Our Creative Christmas Abilities
It’s mid-October and I’m thinking about Christmas! The Holiday season is a mere 2 1/2 months away! I admit, I’m not one of those people who have shopped all year and am already prepared. Nor am I one who has started shopping at all! Still, it seems just around the corner, as I realize there are merchants already in stores displaying Christmas decorations for sale.
Even though I haven’t officially ‘started’ yet, surely giving it thought can’t be a bad thing, especially if I’d like to get creative in some way! Handmade gifts, after all, take time to not only begin, but finish!
CHARLES DICKENS WITH CHRISTMAS CREATIVITY
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens often comes to mind when I think of ‘Christmas Creativity.’ Mr. Dickens’ creativity wrapped in this story is in some ways profound. He uses three ‘Christmas Ghosts’ and a crippled (disabled) child to remind us what Christmas isn’t about; and certainly what Christmas is. It’s a time of love and sharing, and while it doesn’t mention it, it’s also the story of the Christ Child who is the Living Breath of love and giving!
WE EACH HAVE A PURPOSE
In our very modern world, being disabled can have all kinds of negative connotations. But in reality God has provided each of us, regardless of ability, with a sense of purpose. As we focus on what we can do, much like Tiny Tim in ‘A Christmas Carol’, who melted the heart of Scrooge himself, suggests we can do the same with whatever gifts we’ve been given! God’s creativity certainly isn’t limited by our inabilities!
EMBRACE THE HOLIDAY
But as the season draws ever nearer, the idea of adapting and improvising to fit in, can be staggering, depressing and cause pure frustration, if we allow it. As hard as it may be, embracing who we really are can create an excitement in life that helps us see beyond what some people choose to see about us; only our flaws or a disability!
While a physical disability is more likely to be noticed than someone who has an ‘invisible disability’, both require using a bit of creativity to generate inspiration to keep moving forward, when hiding from life seems easier. It may mean joining other creatives who want to explore the season of giving and sharing, or doing some searches on line to find like minded people who are using their disabilities in creative ways Other solutions for creativity can be found if searched for in the right places.
USING OUR GIFTS
Using our talents at Christmas is often how we prefer to give gifts. It’s a greater expression of who we are and shows a ‘love language’ only we can generate. If art is a gift you’ve been given, whether it’s creating pieces freehand, or art created by ‘painting by number’ it’s an amazing gift, completed by the giver.
The satisfaction and heart filled with love through the action of ‘creativity’ creates a connection between people but also can offer better mental health, even for the person with a disability. This creates increased self-respect and reduces levels of depression and anxiety, which can run rampant during the holiday season!
Other ideas include creating hand sewn gifts, homemade sweets or other food products, crafting gifts, videos, or even making a reading video for a child accompanied by the book you are giving (or reading your own book —or manuscript you’ve written!) Perhaps attending a pottery class, creating Christmas cards or small ornaments or a hundred other ideas are available, if a person is willing to do a little searching related to what interests them, and the person to whom the gift will be given.
CHRISTMAS IS FOR EVERYONE
Christmas is the season for everyone. The excitement is almost palpable. Cheer and goodwill, Ebenezer Scrooge learned, is better for everyone when the Holiday is embraced. It may not be perfect, but it can lessen the pain and inspire the heart when we can give of ourselves to those who need us.
While a disability may require the assistance of others from time to time, giving back through a creative endeavor, no matter how small, can not only fill your heart, but melt the heart of someone else, a little like Tiny Tim melted the heart of Mr. Scrooge!
SHARE YOUR LIGHT WITH OTHERS
We are each given God’s Light to share! Perhaps this is the Christmas you can say as Tiny Tim said in “A Christmas Carol” to someone who just wants to say ‘Bah Humbug, I want Christmas done,”….. “Merry Christmas and God Bless us, Everyone!”