The year is almost over and with Christmas around the corner is easy to lose control. In this time of the year, specially the last days before Christmas people tend to be more stressed than relaxed. In these days, we have many things going in our heads, we are full of things to do, we need to organize everything with our families, prepare all the food possible, and one important task requires utmost urgency: Gifts. But why we truly celebrate Christmas? What is the true meaning of it?
For most people the first and most important thing to do before Christmas is to buy gifts. The little story about the old man who has a long white beard and is dressed in red and white made us believe that without gifts, Christmas is not Christmas. Therefore, it is necessary to buy gifts for all our friends and members of our family. So, it is time to go out to search and find them, but there is a little problem: Everyone left everything for the last minute as you did, and now you are trying to find gifts in a human tide.
The “Operation Gifts” becomes an impossible mission, there are a lot of people, endless queues, hundreds of different products at exorbitant prices, you don’t have enough time, and as you see the money flying from your wallet, and your card on fire, you know that it will be impossible to buy gifts for everyone. When you are about to lose hope, or go crazy, you find everything you “need” and you manage to go back home. Everyone put all the gifts in the Christmas tree, we celebrate, we eat, we drink, we open the gifts, and we say good-bye to Christmas until next year. But, what is the true meaning of Christmas?
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” – Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Some people may think about Santa Claus and gifts, others about eating a lot of food and drinking, and some about having a good time with their families and friends or maybe all together, but it’s that all? Well, there is something more. Christmas is in fact the day we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yes, I know. Most people know that. But, then why when the day comes, everyone forgets about it? I mean, imagine that is your birthday, everyone buys gifts, prepare food and gather together to celebrate it but you are not invited, in fact, nobody remembers about you. Sad, isn’t it?
Where do I want to go with this? That Christmas is a day to remember and commemorate the most wonderful thing that we have as human beings, and that my friends is called love. That is what Jesus taught us: To love unconditionally, to love with no boundaries, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Regardless if you are a believer or not, if you are going to celebrate Christmas, do not let Santa Claus, materialism and this society that made us addict to consumerism make you forget what is really important about Christmas: Love.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
Therefore, do not feel pressured by this society to buy the best and most expensive gifts, or to spend a lot of money in high amounts of food, do not feel stressed because you have the need to go to certain places and meet with people you don’t want to. Don’t even feel depressed because you are alone that day. Don’t feel sad because your kids are not getting any gifts, that is not the meaning of Christmas, that is what this society made us believe, because the real meaning of it is to be grateful, for the things we have, and for the opportunity to love and be loved. Enjoy this moment, regardless of your current circumstances. Simply raise your glass and make a toast for today you are alive!
What is the meaning of Christmas? To remember that love conquers hate. May today all our actions and thoughts, and all the things we eat, the music we hear and the things we say may reflect only love, for love is what saved us and what will save us forever. Merry Christmas!