Here we are again

A reflection

It’s that time of year again. Gifts, trees decorated, cookies by the dozen, and untangling those darned lights. There’s more to the Christmas season than being holly and jolly. Our days get compacted. To-do lists grow by the hour. The result can be stress and tension.

We all carry the magic of Christmas from our childhood. In the back of our mind, we still expect that magic to seize the season and lead us to frolic and play our way through it all. The warm memories of Christmases past may buoy us when we have a tough one to get through. I remember the cookies, the wassail, the card games.

Now we have new traditions. We cut our tree at a nearby tree farm. We gather on Christmas morning to open gifts and spend time together. Our house is decorated and ready for the festivities.

The meaning of Christmas is almost as elusive and tricky as the meaning of life. Both questions can be answered quickly and accurately, or studied for a lifetime. Of course, we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas. However, there is much more to the season. It’s about giving without concern for what you receive. It’s a chance to show people that we love and care about them.

The more I’ve thought about it the last few days, the more I believe that people want nothing more than to know that people care. We don’t need to be held in high esteem or given extravagant gifts. We want acknowledgment, we want someone to care enough to listen to us, and we want to know that people care about what happens to us.

I can write all about this, but I haven’t always cared enough about people. Well, let me rephrase that. I haven’t cared enough to act or to reach out. I have always cared. As we grow into our lives, it’s easy to convince ourselves that our stuff is more important than everyone else’s. The truth is that we are all in this together. We all need each other.

Christmas is a reminder to be the person you should be. I’ve seen so many great things happen this time of year. The generosity, selflessness, togetherness, and kindness shown by people are what are needed year-round.

Enjoy the season. Enjoy the everyday miracles this season brings, and show the world that you care.

Take care of yourself,

Rod