I grew up listening to a song every holiday season called "I Believe in Father Christmas", a single by Greg Lake. This song was something that I had waited for every year to play on the radio, but rarely ever did. It was not your typical Christmas song, about white snow and city lights, but instead was a song about the way Christmas was marketed and sold in stores. When the song was first released, many believed it was anti-religious song, which was not near what Lake wanted people to take from the song. Instead, Lake wanted to sing about what he believed was the true meaning of Christmas. In the song, Lake sings, "They sold me a dream of Christmas. They sold me a silent night. And they told me a fairy story. 'Till I believed in the Israelite. And I believed in father Christmas. And I looked to the sky with excited eyes. 'Till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn, And I saw him and through his disguise".
The holiday season should not be about finding the best sale around, but about the true meaning Christmas. Some people look at it at the date to celebrate the birth of a savior. Others as a way to celebrate Yule, or as a way to welcome in the Winter Solstice. But what exactly is the true meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is more than just presents underneath the tree and fighting the traffic to get into the nearest shopping mall. I see commercials starting right after Halloween with different stores advertising holiday sales, and seemingly competing with each other on who can sell the most products. All over the world, the holidays are celebrated differently.
The past nineteen years of my life, I have wondered what the true meaning of Christmas is and what it means to celebrate the holidays. I've listened to "I Believe in Father Christmas" over and over again for years. That song always meant something to me, even during the non-holiday seasons.
Songs and advertisements promise a white Christmas and sleigh bells in the distance. There were a few years in past where there was little to no snow on the ground outside. There are hopes of happiness all around and smiles from people everywhere. Christmas is sold in stores, but shouldn't it be celebrated rather than bought?
As the holiday season quickly approaches, maybe think about why you celebrate Christmas. Take a minute to realize that there is more than the money spent, but the time you spend with friends, family, and loved ones. Although everyone celebrates the holidays in their own way, think about what makes Christmas Christmas to you. As Greg Lake says in his song, "I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year. All anguish, pain and sadness, leave your heart and let your road be clear."
Remember those we lost in years past, those fighting for our freedom, and people who have no homes or family to be with. Keep your heart warm not only during this time of the year, but every day. Peace on Earth and the goodwill of people is not something that cannot be wrapped.
So again, what exactly is the true meaning of Christmas? Well, to you, it is whatever you believe it to be.
