December's Editor's Note
The Real Spirit of Christmas (Remixed)
by Cashana © 2007
As I look all around me, I see all the Christmas decorations reminding us Christmas is almost near and I wonder where the true Christmas spirit has gone. Sometimes, I think it has been replaced with the material manifestations of Christmas. If we don’t attend church, we may really be confused about what Christmas really means.
The commercial Christmas tends to overshadow what Christmas is really about. However, Christmas would not be, if Christ, Jesus, had not been born. The spiritual portion of Christmas reminds us why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus was born to sacrifice his life for our sins. He died to save us. What a truly beautiful blessing?
The hustle and bustle of the commercial Christmas can drain away its spiritual meaning. As we shop for our families in the throngs of other shoppers, we tend to become frustrated and exasperated. We find ourselves looking for that all important and illusive toy our child must have or he or she will just die. However, will they die if they do not get everything on their catalogued list? No. I know we want the children to have a wonder Christmas, but why don’t we pray for them to have a blessed Christmas? Taking the time to remind them of the birth of Jesus and teaching them that giving is just as important as receiving. Explaining to them to recognize and know they received blessings throughout the year not just in the form of material items, but in the form of spiritual blessings.
The real Christmas spirit is within all of us. It’s that feeling of knowing you have given others a reason to smile. It is a hello and a Merry Christmas to a complete stranger. It is can goods taken to church to feed the needy. It is finding the one gift your brother has always wanted since childhood and seeing his boyish smile in recognition that you remembered. It is that special gift for your sister that says, “I love you” not because you are my sister but because you are you. It is the smiles and exclamations of glee from the little ones as they go from toy to toy trying to decide which one they want to play with first. It is the blessing of Christmas dinner with all the family together with heads bowed as you take a peek to see everyone in the spirit and give a conspiratorial wink to your cousin who is watching too. It is remembering the last Christmas spent with your mother passed on to a better life. It is reminiscing about Christmas as a child. It is attending early morning service at church. It is attending early morning Christmas service at church. Its Christmas carols the old and new. It is the overwhelming feelings of joy that you feel when you are with your family and exuberance of knowing how truly blessed you really are.
The commercial Christmas has its place but it cannot replace the spiritual reason we celebrate Christmas. Acknowledge your blessings and be grateful for what the Lord has given you. Slow down and experience, feel and relish in all that is Christmas. Imani!