The Meaning of the Holiday Season

Christmas has come, and the new year is near. Do you ever think “Is that all there is?” or “Is this all I’ve spent the past three months preparing for?” The kids are fighting again, my husband and I are back at work and life seems to return to normal. As a mom, I think those thoughts are common, maybe even normal in our society, but I can’t help but feel let down. The holidays are a time in the year when we hope for changes that make us happier, more content and even more giving. Yet when we return to the every day, suddenly we lose that hope until the holiday season comes again.

The stress of the endless Christmas list filled with gifts for the kids, spouses, parents, in-laws, coworkers, and so on, the parties, decorations, feasts, and hectic pace robs us of the sweet simplicity this holiday can offer. We stress over budgets, balancing schedules, getting babysitters and decorating the outside of the house all while trying to find the Christmas Spirit — whatever that is.

I think we need to stop, take a step back and question where we are as a culture. It seems that this pace has squeezed both the meaning and calmness out of the season. Most would probably agree, but then, what do we do about it? The culture isn’t going to change itself, but we can start by making some changes ourselves.

This holiday season my family decided to try a new perspective in focusing on giving to others rather than receiving. Seems simple, right? I’m finding it has to be intentional and planned!

Here are some examples to get your own ideas flowing.

Serve the Homeless

My son and his wife decided to take their children downtown on Thanksgiving morning to give hot chocolate to the homeless. They inspired my nieces who were visiting for the holiday along with my youngest son. I was moved. It’s such a simple action, and yet a sweet expression of love and care toward those who are less fortunate.

Find New Ways to Give to Others

How about taking your children shopping for other children who might not receive any gifts on Christmas? Or find a family that doesn’t have family in town to share Christmas day. You could even take hats and gloves to the People’s City Mission for the children living there. The ideas are endless, simple and full of warmth. But it does take some thought.

In a society where we have so much, maybe this Christmas could be the beginning of the end of the usual massive rush of consumption. Perhaps we could begin with our own families to focus on the real Christmas spirit — the spirit of giving and love. It could begin with you and be shared with your children to pass on! Then maybe, just maybe, after Christmas passes, we will look back and know that we’ve started a change after all.