Merry Christmas Eve!
Whatever your beliefs, or non-beliefs, some could argue that there seems to be a bit of magic in the air around Christmas time. Maybe it's because everyone is in the holiday spirit, spreading good will and cheer, and being a little extra nice as the new year approaches.
It's especially gratifying to see this magic in the eyes of a child. And even though my nephews are Muslims and don't celebrate Christmas, even THEY seem to have that extra sparkle. I think it's just the season of giving and love.
While we should celebrate generosity and love all year round - I must admit I love the feeling of Christmas. Decorating my tree, listening to Christmas music, addressing Christmas cards, hot cocoa, spending time with family and friends - all of that just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I thank my family - particularly my mother - for instilling that Christmas spirit in me as a child, and I hope to one day pass that along to a child I may have one day. While Christmas should be about giving and not receiving, I look forward to the day when a child of mine wakes up to a lit tree wondering if Santa ate the cookies we left out for him - looking for reindeer dust. I look forward to him or her watching Rudolph, Frosty, The Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas - all the things that bring wonder to a child's imagination and a twinkle to their eye - making their hearts burst with joy.
As many of us grow older and begin families of our own, the magic of Christmas and the excitement of this special season can sometimes get lost in all the commercialism of the holidays. Decorating, putting up lights and standing in all the long lines at the mall can easily become a nuisance - and slowly start to take away our Christmas spirit. The very activities that once made Christmas so fun and special for us as children simply become a hassle to us as we grow into adults.
Don't let that happen. Don't forget why you believe this season is special. If you have children, simply watching how excited they get around this time of year should reignite the flame of Christmas joy. Children naturally seem to have it, whether they expect gifts or not. Tell them the reason for the season - love, giving and fellowship. Christmas is more than Santa and Rudolph, and definitely more than toys and material things. It's a wonderful feeling, sprinkled with a little Christmas joy that lives inside you and has always been there.
This season, spend time with family and friends, donate your time to a shelter, give to a family in need and spread a little Christmas magic - and continue to spread it all year round.
-b
