All of the Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel glittering in the homes of those that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and good cheer will soon be packed into cardboard boxes and plastic tubs for the next year. Often, we tend to lose sight of the purpose of the holiday season: to be selfless. Selflessness is imbued with vulnerability. This inherent vulnerability could be the reason for our need to immerse ourselves in commercialism perpetuated by the media and in turn, selfishness. It is easy to lose ourselves in the stress of the season, but here are a few traditions that allow for families to embrace selflessness this Christmas before the it's over.
1. Make an effort to spend time with your family
The holidays can be a difficult time as there are underlying tensions in some families. I don't know everyone's situation and I wouldn't be presumptuous enough to guess, but make the effort to forgive your family members if there are unresolved issues. Even if you've hardened your heart to someone, just express your forgiveness and soon you might feel your heart soften as your perceptions change. Some wise and astute person once stated, "We make time for what important to us." and it's true; just open a published book and imagine how much time the author spent writing and rewriting for revisions. Halt your work for one day and spend time with your family.
2. Donate your time to those in need.
Even if you may not have a lot of money or the means to purchase presents for others, you can still donate your time--which is probably more valuable. Visit lonely patients at a nursing home and start a conversation with them or serve hot meals and talk with the patrons of your local kitchen. Prayer is a powerful yet woefully underused tool: say a quick prayer for all of those who suffer, can't be home, or with their families this Christmas; ask for the Lord's will to be done in their lives.
3. Invite someone over for dinner or be a guest at someone else's dinner.
Forget the solitary cups of Mac 'n' Cheese and personal Lean Cuisines, invite other people for dinner for a sense of community. You can have some people bring covered dishes or bring one to another person's house. Go to a community Christmas dinner and spend time with other people. I abhor those who say they hate other people, because there is at least one aspect to appreciate in everyone.
4. Finally, don't forget to celebrate Jesus.
Christians must not and should not forget the birth of Christ. Even though, cynics will argue that Christmas has become too commercialized and point out its pagan roots, it still does not diminish that this is the appointed holiday to celebrate our Savior. Don't focus on material items so much that we forget to be grateful to the Lord for the ability to celebrate blessings, even by the smallest means.
I hope everyone has a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year with many blessings. I hope that we participate in the holiday season with selflessness and a heart of earnest altruism. These are just four traditions, but there are innumerable traditions focused on selflessness one can participate in this holiday.
