Like all children growing up, my favorite time of the year was always Christmas. To me, it was the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, getting presents was the best part of it all. Growing up, I could not wait until the Christmas holiday was near. The mood and atmosphere of people was always joyful and an ambiance of warmth was always in the air. I always enjoyed seeing the expressions on people’s faces as they were bustling about department stores and toy shops to wrap up last minute shopping for presents. You could just feel the holiday, as people would greet one another with affection and holiday cheer. You did not have to have any religious affiliation in order to celebrate the occasion. Christmas was a holiday that could be celebrated by all. I remember the best part about participating in the holiday was hearing one another wish each other a Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays. I recollect Christmas not only being a holiday to celebrate giving gifts to loved ones and friends, but also a time to bestow the spirit of the holiday to each other as well.
However, as I grew up and time has passed, I feel that the Spirit of Christmas has altered and changed a little bit. As I walk the streets and drive on the road, during this time of the holidays, I notice nothing but advertisements and billboards for the latest and trendiest gifts to buy and give to loved ones. Yes, I know that Christmas is about buying gifts and exchanging them with one another, but I feel we may have forgotten what the holiday is really about. In today’s world, I feel that the majority of us have been brainwashed by the big corporations of our country to think only to buy, buy, and buy. In my mind, people now associate Christmas with only buying the best gifts, not about celebrating. In my view, the simple words of ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’ no longer have true value and are greetings that have become obsolete. Take the time and think, when was the last time you have said those words to someone else and really felt the Christmas Spirit while saying it? Christmas is supposed to be about a time of being merry and cheerful. It is a time when sharing is the common theme while relaxing with loved ones and family. I fear that in this 21st century, we as individuals may have gone astray and have forgotten to add the Spirit of Christmas within ourselves during the holiday.
Every year, when Christmas arrives, I try my best to share this festive time to the best of my abilities. However, no matter how many Christmas greetings or cheers I give out, less and less is returned back to me. What happened to the age where individuals would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ and in return, receive the same exciting greeting? Now it seems as if we simply just say, ‘Thank you, you too,’ whenever someone wishes us a ‘Happy Holidays,’ instead of truly wishing them happy holidays with enthusiasm and joy. The Spirit of Christmas has dissipated away from us, and I fear may be gone for good in the near future. So as the holidays near this year, I encourage you to truly participate in this joyful and merry holiday. Take the time to try and spread the Spirit of Christmas to others. Let us bring back the old memories we all once enjoyed about this cheerful holiday and truly celebrate Christmas. Those with children, I encourage you to lead by example and show your children what this holiday is really about, so that precedents can be set so that they in return, will do the same in their bright futures. Again, I encourage you to just take 5 minutes of your time, to think of the meaning of Christmas Spirit.