As the rushing around of the season continues these last weeks before Christmas, trying to get everyone on the shopping list fitted into just the right gift can be nerve wracking.

A few years ago I decided to take a little time away from all of that hustle and bustle to define Christmas for myself and found very quickly that each letter of this season has a special meaning.

C is for Christmas present, neither past nor future. One holds our memories, the other is yet to be. But, for today, we will enjoy ourselves — as we are — and realize that the gift of life is too precious to be taken for granted. In taking care of ourselves, we are taking the steps to bring Christmas future closer to us and our loved ones.

H is for hope. A hope that life will be full of good blessings. As always, there will be good days and bad days, but that ray of hope will always help us find our way and bring warmth even on the coldest of days.

R is for responsibility. We each have to make choices in life and with each choice will be a consequence. It is our responsibility to ourselves to make choices that are good and right for us. We do not have the power to change what happens to us, but we do have the power to remain positive and never give up.

I is for inspiration. The inspiration of others before us who may have suffered or endured hardships so that life for us might be a little easier today. It is they who bring this season full circle and for whom we offer sincere appreciation.

S is for support. Without family and friends, any struggle in life would be more than we could bear. They cannot do for us what we must do for ourselves, but sometimes their just being there or someone saying “I care” is enough.

T is for Thanksgiving. For some, it is the season before Christmas. For others, it is a time to be grateful. A simple gratitude list can bring our focus to the present moment. And if we can learn to live in the moment, we will be living life one day at a time. How simple!

M is for the memories. Memories of loved ones and friends who have helped make us who we are. Precious memories of loved ones who have gone before us. Precious memories of family and friends with whom we share today.

A is for acceptance. We must accept life as it is. And, thankfully, it is not something we have to do alone. We all, family and friends, must realize that there is Someone greater than ourselves who can help us deal with anything that comes our way. “I can’t. He can. So I’m going to let Him.”

S is for serenity. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference.”

Live life to the fullest — each and every moment — and in so doing, you will understand this meaning of Christmas.

For, you see, it is today, this very moment, that you are blessed with the most precious of gifts — the gift of life.

My sincerest wish for each and every one of you during this holiday time is a season filled with beautiful moments and the most cherished of memories. Happy holidays!