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The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Putting the love back in Christmas

Brittany Herron
Dec 22, 2015
Southeastern Louisiana University
23
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

iPads, iPhones, "hover" boards that blow up, Tiffany's, Michael Kors, and Nike, I'M EXHAUSTED.

When did Santa become so consumer-focused?

Once upon a time Christmas was associated with Jesus, family, and love. Now, it's a competition of who gets the best gifts and takes the most appealing pictures (thanks, social media). The most wonderful time of the year was wonderful because of the friendliness everyone portrayed- love so freely given and the uninterrupted time with family.

Look around this holiday season, is everyone friendly or rude because they're so rushed? Is love evident by kind acts or by expensive gifts? Are you paying attention to your family or your Facebook?

How about, just for a moment, we say thank you for the small gifts: a warm bed, food, health. Let's refocus before 2016 hits. Before the iPhone 9 comes out, before another social media outlet robs our attention. Let's watch the movies where children were given candy canes and toy planes. Where dinner was the main event on Christmas. Where love was so thick you could see it.

I challenge you this Christmas to list things you're thankful for that aren't material items. I assure you, if you look deep the things that matter most can't be bought.

"Love, good tidings and joy. Peace on Earth and good will to men." These are Christmas slogans from many years ago, yet still the things we need most.

Christmas is when love became man, when the world received the greatest gift of all. Nothing can top that. So let's enjoy each other instead. Let's not compete, let's not get distracted. Let's be grateful for the simple things, for our loved ones and for our Savior.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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