Currently, it’s almost 9 o’clock on a Friday night. I’m sitting in sweats watching Christmas cartoons with my Christmas tree all lit up. Part of me feels the FOMO and wants to go out and have a crazy Friday night. Everything for finals is done for the last time, and my final semester has come to an end. It’s safe to say that I really deserve a celebration, and that’s exactly what I’m giving myself.
Sometimes it can be hard to get myself into the Christmas spirit. We’ve got finals every year that take us all the way up until almost a week before Christmas. It’s hard to feel like celebrating when you’ve got 18 credit hours’ worth of deadlines breathing down your neck. To make matters worse, I work at a mall, and the traffic, crowds, parking lots, and terrible tips are enough to make me want to swear off Christmas altogether.
These days it seems like there’s so much negativity and hate in the world. Every day we log on and tune in to see the latest scandal, crime, or celebrity feud. When was the last time you checked your social media and didn’t see a post about politics? I’m guessing it’s been at least a year, probably more. It’s always democrats versus republicans, white versus black, us versus them. It’s hard to stay hopeful and positive in a dark world that seems to be tearing itself apart from the inside out.
With that being said, I think that’s why it is going to be so important to embrace Christmas and the holiday season this year. We spend this time of year embracing the spirit of giving, and adopt a childlike sense of wonder and believing. We hear Christmas music piped through every radio station, department store, and TV commercial. Personally, I think it’s time we remember what these songs and season’s greetings are actually saying.
This Christmas, take some time to do something kind, not only for your family and friends, but for a stranger. Learn someone else’s life story and put yourself in their shoes. Help out someone in need. Really listen to the songs that are calling for Peace on Earth and goodwill to men.
Maybe it sounds cheesy, but the world has been making me really sad lately. Like I said, there’s always more bad news and nothing seems to be getting better. This year, it feels like Christmas is important. Usually I just try to survive the holiday season, but this year, I’m being mindful of taking time to put myself in the Christmas spirit, and really celebrate what this season means to me. For tonight, I suppose that means staying in on a Friday night, ordering takeout, and watching Mickey Mouse try to instill the Christmas spirit in Donald Duck via Netflix.
I sincerely hope everyone has a wonderfully Merry Christmas this year.
