Every year, Christmas seems to loose a little bit more of its magic for me. It's not for the lack of department stores putting out decor pre-thanksgiving or for Christmas music playing months ahead of time. It's not that Christmas is lacking in those departments, but perhaps the true meaning of Christmas is. When I was young, Christmas was a glorified want-fest. Anything I put on that list was sure to be mine Christmas morning brought via Santa. When the sheet is lifted off the mirage I think some of the magic is lost. Our definition of Christmas changes from what we thought it was as kids.
As children, Christmas didn't embody the charity, but rather the magic that a man could bring us any toy we wanted in one night. I remember every Christmas Eve night, struggling to go to sleep, trying my hardest to fight the anticipation and waking up at the crack of dawn, clambering down the stairs. Now I too see Santa in a different light than when I was younger. He now has become someone who is truly selfless and what the Christmas spirit is really about, that it is better to give than receive. What better way to show that than a man who gives presents to all the kids around the world.
When the curtain is unveiled we start to see the truth that is Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year because it brings out the best in people. It is a showcase of how people can create miracles by themselves--when people give more than they receive. When we throw away all that extra hustle and bustle and focus on what really matters. Just like Santa says in the movie Miracle on 34th Street "Christmas is a state of being." It's not a day or a bunch of pristine packages placed nicely under a tree but in fact a state of mind. A mindset that encompasses the idea of good will to all. The simple idea that giving is truly better than receiving.
When we redefine our meanings of what Christmas really means as we grow and change, we see that Christmas never faded away. As it was always in our minds and we just had to have the knowledge to access it. Once we do, we to can spread the Christmas magic and joy that the season brings. Instead of turning Christmas into a materialistic, glorified sale-tactic, rather see it for what it truly is. The Christmas season shouldn't be something that is groaned for but wanted. The reason for the season is about being charitable. Christmas isn't how many lights that are in your house, how big your tree is or how many gifts you receive. Christmas is about family, religion and being charitable to everyone.
