There is a Christmas saying that I believe says a lot more than the few words than it is made of. For many of us Christmas has turned into a time of trial and tribulation. Stretching budgets to the bursting point and taking on bills for presents we have to struggle to pay off. A little farther down the slide, is the ugly truth that anything other than the basic day to day needs is out of the question for some of us. For the unfortunate among us, there will be no presents bought, wrapped or given out.
The six word saying I am so fond of this time of year helps to remind me that Christmas and its sister holiday, New Years is about something different than how many presents you bought, wrapped and gave out and what parties you attended. I am reminded of the subtle nature of Christmas and New Years. I like to believe the saying brings myself and others who have said it to me to the basics of these holidays.
“Remember the reason for the season.” These six little words are a succinct sentence that packs more thought and meaning into a few words than opening up a hundred packages of all our favorite things. Whenever I hear this quaint phrase said, or say it myself, I am taking a journey back to the roots of Christmas and New Years.
A celebration of new beginnings and new hopes is where this saying takes me. When I was a child it did not mean much when I heard it. When someone said it, it felt more like a flip compensation for not buying presents. For some that is exactly what it was or is, yet for others, they are celebrating the season and giving a reminder all at one time.
They are reminding me, that it is not the number or value of presents I receive that matters, it is not even whether I celebrate Christmas or not, or whether the New Years is the best New years ever. They are reminding me to celebrate and rmember that our life is not stagnant and there are always new and exciting times to come.
When they say it, they remind me to think like a child, to find wonder and joy in my world. Even when my world does not seem to wonderful or joyous at the moment.
I was thinking about how lucky I am to be able to celebrate. How lucky we all are having a nice dinner, exchanging presents, or whatever we choose to do. How lucky I am that we were not in a war zone.
Remember the reason for the season, it’s not about presents. Rather it is about people like you and I, and those we care for, and those who care about us.
Enjoy your holidays in whatever circumstance you find yourself. There are only so many in your future and not one of them will be the same as this one. Remember the reason…
