Parking lots filled with pine trees, insane shoppers rushing to the malls to buy the "latest fad" as a present, wrapping paper, bows, Christmas cookie baking, stockings, fancy foods, parties, and Christmas carols playing throughout every radio station and public building. Does all of this sound familiar to you?

Christmas time may be one of the busiest and most stressful holiday's of the year. So many presents to buy, cookies to make, and parties to attend. Families begin to wish it would all just slow down, silently wondering how this year seems even more laborious than the years past.

But it's not only about all of the hustle and bustle. This special holiday also signifies the Beautiful Birth of our Lord-out of everything else- the most important reason to celebrate. And with His glorious birth, also brings us the rare occasion to spend quality time with our family and friends, to love others a little more, and to give more than to receive.

Every year since my siblings and I have been very young, we have always bought gifts for each other and our parents. It was how we showed our love and appreciation for each other--even if some of the years our gifts had come from the local dollar store. But after many gifts and years later, we realized that we didn't need any more presents, although they were nice. And for me, it was the act of giving that meant more than receiving.

So this year we tried something new. My younger brother, sister, and I decided to take all of the money we were going to spend on each other and our parents and put it towards a bigger, better cause than ourselves. We found this organization called Operation Christmas Child, where they send gifts internationally to children who won't be getting anything for Christmas. The thought of helping someone less fortunate than ourselves touched our hearts, and reminded us that to truly love and give, there is some sacrificing involved.

I hope that through this holiday season you slow down long enough to remember and enjoy the TRUE meaning of Christmas...and take time to love and give.