Merry December
“I can’t wait for Christmas to be over and things get back to normal”
“Christmas is just about kids”
“I am tired of this HO HO HO stuff.”
The retailers got their numbers and are ecstatic at the projected profits. More citizens of this great country took part in the Black Friday shopping frenzy than voted! We stress about secret Santa gifts, cookie exchanges, office parties and saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Then, striking fear into the hearts of many is the dreaded Christmas card! Every year I swear that I will begin in July, every year we are mailing them out in January. Not to mention the panic that sets in when you get a card from someone you never sent one to! It is pretty sad to begin a month with dread when it should be about a beautiful and memorable time of year so………
LET’S GET BACK TO THE BASICS
The fact is that Christmas is a religious celebration. In a recent Gallup poll, 75% of all Americans identified themselves as Christian. It is not only a holiday, it is a Holy Day. It is a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Even Santa, the jolly old elf, was based on St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
It is NOT an event meant to power our economy, stress us out, or drive us into near bankruptcy. It is NOT meant to create a momentary happiness in children by getting them the latest and greatest toy. It is also NOT just for the children.
Christmas is an opportunity. It is a time to practice our beliefs, to reflect upon the importance of family, to practice charity to others. Regardless of your beliefs, there is plenty of good to celebrate about the birth of a Baby whose message changed the world!
Don’t get me wrong, it is wonderful to have your children wake you up at 5am screaming “Santa was here” (especially after having stayed up till 3am putting together the toys and getting the stockings stuffed). It gave Claire and I great joy to see their happiness. We even enjoyed the thrill of the hunt as we chased around looking for the special Star Wars toy or Beanie Baby; but that was only a part of it.
The enjoyment came from giving gifts, the meaning came from our actions and traditions. Meaning came from the times we sang in choir, the shopping we did for a needy family, the kindness shown to others. It came from the times when we visited a nursing home and took the time to visit the lonely. Meaning came from worshipping together and the activities we did as a family. The cookies baked, the decorating (the Nativity scene was always first) and listening to the older generation pass on their memories.
When we were first married, we had a generic tree. Every year, we made it a tradition to add a personal ornament and it grew bigger every year. Now, as I look upon that tree while listening to Nana telling the grandchildren how (and where) to hang an ornament, I look back at my life reflected in those ornaments and understand the importance of this season.
So, I am going to ask that you establish a tradition; a tradition that creates meaning. It might consist of stopping all shopping a few days before Christmas or dining together without cell phones at your side. A tradition that strengthens the family without weakening the purse.
I leave you with the words of a modern day philosopher in the hope that you make the next few weeks a time of meaning and joy.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
Tell Grandad what you think!