Christmas
The most wonderful time of year
Christmas is a very special time of year. Most of us will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day toting gifts and food from one home to another, visiting with friends and family, eating enough to completely thwart any dietary efforts of the prior year, and sharing all the aspects of our Christmas tradition.
The Christmas holiday is special to many people for many reasons. The story of Christ’s birth makes the holiday religiously significant to Christians. They attend special church services, choir performances, Christmas plays, and other events that are designed to celebrate the birth of Christ. However, if you’re not religious, the Christmas holiday can still be special because it’s a time to celebrate family, fun, love, and friendship.
A Time for Giving
Christmas is a time for giving. From holiday gift baskets to personalized Christmas cards, people spend hours searching for the perfect presents for family, friends, coworkers, bosses, neighbors, and other special people in their lives. But Christmas also presents the perfect opportunity to reach out to those outside our normal circles. Help those less fortunate have a merry Christmas by donating to one (or more) of the many worthy charities that support families and children throughout the Christmas holiday. Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Angels and the Salvation Army are just a few of the national programs that bring joy to others during the holidays.
If money is tight, you can always give of your time, instead. Consider helping out at a local shelter or soup kitchen this year. Christmas Eve and Christmas day are both busy for shelters and missions. Take some time out of your hustle and bustle Christmas season to be of service to those who need it most. Volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home, or visit the elderly in your neighborhood. Put together food baskets at your church. There are plenty of ways to serve your community at Christmas. Giving is a wonderful Christmas tradition, and one that’s worth developing!
For most of us, money is tight this year and stress levels are high. So let’s take some time out to enjoy and appreciate the blessings we have. Take some time this Christmas to tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Shift the focus of your Christmas ideas from monetary to meaningful and don’t let the days pass without absorbing some of the magic of the season. Hold hands, give gifts and share lots of hugs; above all, have a very merry Christmas!
