The Fading Vibrancy of Christmas? (November 18, 2022)

Taken on the 19th of December 2019

Dazzling colorful lights, decorating a Christmas tree, serenades, hanging Christmas socks, festive gatherings, and fantasizing of seeing the true Santa Claus and the shining red nose of Rudolf -- for some of us, these were the childhood conceptions of a holly jolly Christmas.  My collective memories from my carefree days of the Yuletide season are still vivid; they were days filled with genuine joy, laughter, and tranquility. It's great to reminisce about those memories from time to time!

However as the saying goes, there are things that will not stay as how they used to be.  

As time goes by and I'm getting older, my notion about Christmas is beginning to change as well.   The once highly celebrated season of the year is seemingly losing its vibrancy and starting to become just ordinary days.   Now, It is conclusive that there's no Santa Claus; the same goes for his reindeer Rudolf.  They are just mere Christmas icons and childish things.  Later on, I found out that the gifts in the Christmas stockings we received from "Santa Claus" were given by our parents.  I can still appreciate the colorful Christmas lights but not as magical as before.  

Now here comes again that time of year; "it's beginning to look around like Christmas (Bublé, 2011)".  So what is Christmas and the things that have changed along the way within me and with others?

In Christianity, Christmas is known to be the nativity of Christ.   As stated in John 3:16 and Luke 2:14 as I quote "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." and “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”.  Like what most people knew in their early days, Christmas in a nutshell is simply all about love, salvation, thanksgiving, and joyfulness.

In contemplation, I realized something.  Discontentment and constant worrying about what lies ahead are the things hindering most people from feeling the spirit of Christmas once again.  Apparently, most of us were not still thinking about these things in our childhood days. 

"The idea of a perfect Christmas is to spend it with you" (Chan, 1990).  Using the word "you",  I think Jose Marie Chan was also referring to our loved ones: family and friends.  It is also a moment of finding peace in living in the present (Lao Tzu, nd).   

Christmas is a time of reflection on our lives, a celebration of a job well done of living and finding reasons to be happy, and thanksgiving to God for the shower of blessings he has given to us.

Can't we celebrate Christmas every day?