Christmas has always been a crazy blend of secular and religious traditions. We talk about Jesus, Mary and Joseph and Santa Claus in the same sentence. It has long been a mass of contradictions and confusion. We talk about giving and taking care of our communities, and then we spend extravagant amounts of money on our own families.
One of the things I love most about the Christmas season are the rich literary classics. In each of the classic stories and movies, we are reminded of the need to be generous, to help others out — to sacrifice for the good of others.
In my personal favorite, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, we meet a miserly man who is visited by three spirits who encourage him to change his life. In fact, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is truly a story of a man who redeems himself and becomes a far better human being because he has glimpsed his past, and his present and then is terrified about himself when he sees the future. As a result, we are all encouraged to assess our lives, take stock of how we are living, and make adjustments as needed.
This for me is the story of a man becoming aware of and then grabbing ahold of the Christmas spirit.
The Christmas spirit is something we all desperately need right this very moment. But what exactly is it? What do you think it is? A Christmas Carol tells us it is philanthropy — giving to others - especially to those who need so much. In “Little Women” the March family sacrifices their Christmas breakfast to feed a much poorer family that lives nearby.
In the movie classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” the main character is ready to jump off a bridge because he believes he is worth more dead than alive, and then an angel shows him that his life mattered to his community so much that they bail him out of financial trouble. What a beautiful display of the Christmas Spirit.
Concern over commercialism drives the story of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Dr. Seuss’ story peels back the crush of toys and postwar posterity to show us that if we aren’t careful we might lose the meaning of Christmas, as well as what community means in American life.
Christmas has always been bitter, sweet, painful, and joyful, and it somehow finds a way to give us hope and lighten our misery. This year, like every year, we need the spirit of Christmas. For some, we find it in the lights of the season. For others, it is found in the compassion and generosity we witness around us. Something in us longs for that spirit of Christmas to overtake us because somehow, we know it just helps. It makes us better. It gives us peace. It gives us hope.
Christmas is magical for children. As adults, we lose the mystery and the magic. It could be because we are the ones making the magic, and that is way more work than feeling the magic like children do.
As adults, we can restore some of the spirit of the holidays by inviting friends over, baking cookies, recreating old memories, or creating new ones.
It also helps to spend some time with younger family members. Watching children in the days leading up to the big day is a magic of its own. Their genuine excitement and anticipation has a way of rubbing off on us.
We should also spend a bit of time focusing on the purpose of the holidays. To revive a holiday spirit, it’s important to connect with other people. Giving back to our community, and helping others is an important part of connecting.
This letter to Santa from eight-year-old Ryan is probably the best example of a child getting it right.
“Dear Santa, My mom said to send you my Christmas list. I wanted a remote control car and helicopter, but I don’t want that anymore. Kids at school are still picking on Amber, and it’s not fair, because she doesn’t do anything to them. It makes me mad. I prayed they would stop, but God is busy and needs your help. Is it against the rules to give gifts early?
Can you ask Taylor Swift to come to Amber’s birthday party? It would make her so happy. If you can’t get her to come, then just get Amber everything she asks for.
Thanks, Santa.
Love, Ryan
PS My mom throws the best birthday parties. You can come if you want.
The Christmas spirit has a very sacred component to it. For those of us who celebrate a more spiritual Christmas, in a Christian tradition, we see this season as a celebration of a life-changing moment.
It is the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came to us to teach us to love each other. So simple, so profound. The spirit of Christmas is rooted in these simple words found in Isaiah:
“For a child is born to us, an heir is given to us, upon whose shoulders dominion will rest. This One shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Strength of God, Eternal Protector, Champion of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6
About the Christmas Spirit, Prolific hymn-writer E.C. Baird penned these words many years ago:
I enter the home of poverty, causing children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old, glad way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts amazed at the world's goodness.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! Amen.
Hamilton Wright Mabie has written these beautiful words:
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” — Hamilton Wright Mabie
Let’s be sure to become part of that beautiful experience of loving each other this holiday season.
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