Remembering to Cherish the Season

Everywhere we go we are reminded by signs and songs that December is the “Happiest Time of the Year.”  We are told that it is “The Season of Giving” and “The season to be jolly,” but we often fail to realize what these songs and what the Christmas season means.  As a society we get too caught up in finding the best gifts and we forget to spread the holiday cheer.  Christmas is right around the corner and we must take a minute to step back from our busy lives to remember what we are celebrating.

Family

Almost all of us have some lasting memories about spending time with our families during the holidays.  It typically is a time to see relatives we don’t get to see that often and it is a great reason for families to get together.  We travel all across the country and all across the world to spend just a few days with the ones we love.  It is true we often exchange gifts when we have our family get together but this is only a nice bonus.  No amount of possessions can replace the memories that we make.  As we are all aware no one lives forever.  The Christmas season is a great time to make lasting memories, especially between grandchildren and grandparents.  Often times our children don’t appreciate these gatherings until later in life, which is why they are so important.  It is important to take a step back and realize how valuable these holiday memories, and even holiday photos, truly are.  So when someone gets you the wrong gift or you get frustrated by the actions of your family, and it happens to everyone, take a step back and remember this is the season of love.  Remember that gifts are given out of love and families’ members do argue and frustrate each other, but cherish the moments because they will not last forever.

Season of Giving

The holiday season is often called the season of giving.  Many of us equate this to giving gifts to our families and loved ones but this is only part of what the holidays are about.  As stated above, we all enjoy giving and receiving gifts.  However, we must remember to give to those less fortunate than us.  This is extremely easy, almost everywhere you go people are asking for donations for some charity and it is often easy to get overwhelmed.  It is okay not to donate to everyone who asks, just make sure to be polite when you decline.  The people who are asking are trying to do something good for society.  So how do you know who to donate to and what charities are the best?  There is no simple answer to this question.  Food banks and clothing drives are important, but so are hospital charities, veteran associations, children’s centers, and animal rescue organizations.  No one person can support all these charities and there are countless others.  So who should you help?  The answer is not complicated, you should help the organization that means the most to you.  There are millions of people donating to thousands of charitable organizations and personal preference does and should matter.  So spend a little time on the internet and do some research.  Find the organizations whose values best align with yours.  We all would like to do more, but we must realize that we have a budget and in order to get the most bang for our buck we should donate to organizations we are passionate about.  So next time you are annoyed that another person or organization is asking you for money remember, it is okay to politely decline.  Just make sure you do contribute to some charities, especially ones with causes that you are passionate about.

Religion

America is a predominantly Christian country and as a result we often refer to the holiday season as Christmas.  However, we must remember that other religions celebrate holidays in December as well.  For most of us, this is a time to celebrate the birth of our savior, but we must remember that the Christmas season means different things to different people.  There are a wide variety of Christian organizations with different levels of worship and we must be respectful to all of them.    Some people are very religious, while others typically only go to church on Christmas and Easter.  We must remember to be accepting of all people’s level of religion and of those who have different spiritual beliefs.   We must also keep an open mind to those who seek additional understanding of Christmas and be willing to educate them.  People who come from less religious backgrounds and people of other faiths may not fully understand the meaning of Christmas and we must see this as an opportunity to educate.  However, it is important to not force this education on those who are not willing.  People need to explore religion and their personal beliefs on their own terms.  We must be available to answer questions and support people who want to learn and we must be patient with those who do not.  So next time you can answer a religious question do so in a respectful and non-hostile manor.   Your answer could be the first step to someone’s religious journey. 

It is easy to get caught up in gift shopping and get frustrated.  Stores are busy and of course they always seem to be out of what we are looking for.  When you feel like your day is going poorly take a step back and remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Remember to be kind to others, remember to help those in need, and remember to make last memories with family and friends.  This is what Christmas is about and we must cherish the moment.