The true meaning of Christmas is not about parties or presents. It’s not about shopping, or putting up a Christmas tree and hanging lights. It’s not even about putting together a huge feast on Christmas Day. If one or more of these things happens to be the reason we celebrate Christmas, then we’re missing the point. If this is what Christmas is, it’s no wonder that we don’t feel fulfilled when it’s over on December 26th.
Many of us feel some level of depression when the Christmas season is over. For most of us, the depression begins about the time we realize that Santa is a concept, a.k.a. “the spirit” of Christmas and not a real person. That’s when it changed for me too. Christmas went from “the most magical time of the year” to a time to go to a bunch of parties and hang out with my friends and eat lots of food.
After I became a little older and took on even more responsibility, it turned into an often hectic and sometimes stressful time of year. The holiday season became more about multiple lists of gifts, making time to shop, putting up with the crowded malls, planning holiday parties and meals, and arranging holiday schedules to meet all of the added business and personal commitments.
No matter were you come from, no matter what your religious beliefs, or even your geographical location, Christmas should be a time that we spend with the ones we love and care about. It should also be about the giving of our time and resources to make sure that those who are not as well off will have a better life because we crossed their path.
As a whole, I think the human race has lost sight of the fact that every person on earth has the responsibility to respect and care for his or her fellow man. If we would all except and live by “The Gold Rule” the world would become a peaceful place. After all, Giving In It’s Purest Form, expects nothing in return.
[Last lines from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas – by Dr. Seuss – 1966]
Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand.
