Many have asked me what is the meaning of Christmas to me, given I’m not a religious guy. I’ve searched for a really good answer to that question, and I think I’ve found it: fun …and a sense of rebirth. I love it that for even the one small window of time many in the world try to put forward their best feet. While many seem to hate the slog through the retail market, I love it that people actually put forth the energy to give others gifts.
So what that they could do it the other 364 days of the year…I just don’t care. The mere fact that we’re actually trying to do it at all, in December, is good enough for me.
I mean, what drives people to want to do this?
I’m sure there are any number of reasons, but I’d like to think that it’s because there’s some kind of energy—good, deep-inside-the-soul energy—that wants to “do good” for and to others. I’ve read and experienced that when we do good toward another, it actually makes us feel good…betters our health. And I believe it. It’s easy to get caught up in all the minutiae of daily living and all, but, you know, for one day—one window of time at the end of every year—people actually try to give back.
I also see Christmas as a reset. A rebirth. The new year brings, well…a new year. This causes many to rethink their lives (even if this is the only time), and try to rework issues that need reworking. I like that. Hopefully just a little bit of both of these concepts will continue throughout the year, but if we get them for even one small part of the year, I say it’s all good.
People can celebrate Christmas however they wish—it doesn’t bother me. I enjoy that people seem a little brighter, more cheerful, more anticipative. Religion can ascribe their symbology to Christmas, and the secular their symbols, but it’s all symbols.
And there’s something else. If we want world peace, it starts with each and every individual on this planet. It starts with you, and it starts with me. Bringing any kind of good to the forefront of our lives betters the rest of the race. Let’s keep that in mind and keep some of that with us throughout the rest of the new year.
So, let’s not duel over any so-called right or wrong way to celebrate a cheerful time of season, let’s just enjoy it with each other…in all our myriad of ways. Rejoice that we can do so.
Then tear into some really cool presents!