With the holiday season upon us, it gave me pause to reflect
on the meaning of the holidays.
As a child, the holidays always seemed to bring anticipation
of wonder and awe. Not merely for whatever Santa thought I deserved for my behavior
during the year but also for the magic of celebrating the baby Jesus birth.
Local churches set up living reenactments, standing still through the chill of
frost and snow against the glow of soft lights. Somehow, it seemed such a sad,
though wondrous commemoration of an event, which literally, changed the world.
Carolers visited each home spreading beautiful harmony of bygone
songs, warming themselves with cocoa or hot apple cider offered in appreciation.
Many times, for a few moments before
they journeyed to the next residence, they toasted their frigid bodies by your
hearth, momentarily finding pleasure in the warmth of the fire. They brought us a special feeling within our hearts,
not so much of love but a bonding of kindness, thoughtfulness and care of
humanity. You felt a part of a much larger
picture.
Then the gift of love, presented through homemade cookies,
pies, candy, and popcorn balls. As you ate these gifts, each bite held a deeper
meaning knowing the great time and effort put forth in their design.
Today, it seems we have lost much of the real meaning of the
holiday season. Instead of gratitude for whatever gift bestowed upon us, big or
small, store bought or homemade, I see an air of expectation, deserved or not. For every single
gift given is a testament of affection, be it elaborate or simple in nature. The
gift signifies an act of love, a sign of caring, a gesture of thoughtfulness.
Suppose I have written this article in an attempt to get you
thinking about your actions this holiday season. Do you run out and purchase
more than your pocketbook allows? Perhaps you find yourself looking at the holiday’s
preparation as a chore rather than a joyful, loving experience. Maybe you are
ashamed that lack of money will provide little in way of presents for your
friends and family.
Take this time to reflect upon what you want the holiday to
represent. How you, deep in your heart, wish
to celebrate the season, and then do so. For it is not how elaborate the dinner
or how many frivolous gifts you purchase, but the warmth and love which surrounds
you; the good will to man that carries meaning during the season and months to
come.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas season.
Monica M Brinkman,
Author, Radio Host
A lovely post Monica.We all need to remember more of what Christmas is all about. Love, family, and good friends, all wishing for peace on earth and a happy new year for each other.
ReplyDeleteI've tweeted this. And you have given us food for thought in the midst of our frenzy to "get ready" for Christmas, instead of simply waiting, during this Advent Season.
ReplyDeleteLovely post indeed, Monica. Being away from my family this year, this really resonated. Thank you for reminding me what matters. :) You always do.
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