It’s the most wonderful time of the year! For many Christmas is a time of celebrating and good fun, but to me, it is a lot more than that.
In 1914 there was a ceasefire along the western front on Christmas day during World War I; that ceasefire became known as “The Christmas Truce”. It was not about what anyone had, it was about coming together for the holidays. For that single day, both sides crossed over into enemy trenches, exchanged gifts, sang carols, and held joint burials for fallen soldiers.
So many forget the true meaning of Christmas, they become so focused on receiving and forget that other people are just as important. Giving is nice, but Christmas is really your acceptance of everyone around you. The spreading of love and cheer and helping those who can’t help themselves is the true meaning of Christmas.
You may ask how do you spread love and cheer? Well, the answer is easy. Spending time with the ones you love is always a good way to go. However, there are also things you could do that are fun for you and others.
A classic good time Christmas tradition is curling up on the couch with friends, family, or by yourself and putting on a Christmas movie with the lights off and hot chocolate in hand.
While watching Christmas movies you are transported to a place where Christmas is learned. In the movies, you see people struggle just like you or me, but they master the lesson some of us have yet to learn. They learn to let go and have fun while valuing others.
Baking cookies, donating to the Salvation Army, and singing carols are just some ways to spread cheer among those around you.
Try baking some cookies and handing them out to elderly neighbors and to those with no meals. It is a fun thing to do and can brighten anyone’s day. Just one simple gesture and you are well on your way.
Donating does not always mean money, although it helps, it can be a present or some of your time. Buddy the elf once said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” and that could not be any truer.
Get some friends together and go sing some carols to the people in your local nursing home or to kids in the hospital. Even if you are extremely off-key and sound like a tone-deaf walrus your kind gesture and efforts will still be appreciated.
Helping others is great and makes you feel good, but this is also a time to help yourself. Take the time to de-stress, to relax, and unwind. Do not worry about the things around you and focus on yourself.
Go see a movie you have wanted to see. Take a walk around your town to enjoy the Christmas lights. Go ice-skating. Try something out of your comfort zone. The comfort zone may be safe but what is life without a few risks? Go tubing or sledding whichever you prefer because rolling down a snow-covered hill is exciting.
Take these words from the Grinch to remember the true meaning of the holiday. “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”
You too can grow ten grinches plus two if you only remember why Christmas cannot be bought or sold, it means so much more.
PHOTO TAKEN by Lauren Salois
