Oh how wonderful ‘tis the time of Christmas. We all have very vivid memories of this wonderful occasion that have been imprinted in our minds since childhood. I’m sure we can all share a story about our favorite Christmas memories…

But with all the things that are going on during the weeks before, one can easily get caught up in the hustle and bustle, and forget what Christmas is really about.

Everybody is in a great hurry in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Food is being prepared and gifts are wrapped. Decorations are put on display and nativity performances are being rehearsed.

Even at work, we find ourselves mingling at Christmas parties and meals, and co-workers share stories of the gifts they are buying for their loved ones.

With all the things that are going on, it is so easy to lose touch with the real reason we celebrate Christmas…

I had a wake-up call like this the other day. I had to learn to pause a while to get myself into that true Christmas feeling. I had to put my life “on hold” in order to discover what Christmas is really about, once again.

So let me share with you this wonderful story…

My little kids attend a kindergarten here in Norway, and we as parents were invited along on a Christmas celebration. We all packed a backpack with our necessities and headed out on a hike into the woods. Everybody wore Santa hats.

It was around dusk when we started hiking. Several people in the group were carrying fire torches with them, and as the sun was setting, they lit the torches to provide light for our feet.

We soon got to a big Christmas tree, decorated with lanterns, candles, glittering balls and flags! Oh, how beautiful it was!

Porridge and syrup was served to us, and we enjoyed a wonderful hot meal together. The children picked up their torches and started walking around the Christmas tree, singing, “We light our torches.” It was an amazing experience, and I got goosebumps as they marched around!

And finally, out of the blue, Santa Claus appeared. He came walking out of the woods, holding a lantern in one hand and a big bag on his back.

The kids cheered as they saw Santa! He chanted, “Ho, ho, ho” as he shook hands with the children and started handing out gifts to everyone!

It was such an awesome experience, one that I will never forget! The meeting in the woods created the perfect atmosphere for me to get into the right mood for Christmas once again – a feeling that I have not experienced for a few years.

So, this Christmas, take time to rediscover Christmas. Slow down, calm down, and settle in to get into the Christmas feeling! You will thank yourself for it…