Now that finals are finally over and many of us can head home for the holidays, there's a palpable relief in the air. Students are no longer worried about taking time for studying, grades have been (or are in the process of being) posted, and your family is waiting for you with a home-cooked meal and gifts under the Christmas tree. Christmas is a time to get wrapped up in the anticipation and excitement of it all, but there is one thing to remember: We need to keep the "Christ" in "Christmas."
It seems as though recently with Black Friday somehow morphing into Black Thanksgiving, our society is getting a little too ahead of itself with the hubbub around shopping and material items. Yes, Christmas and other holidays are a time to exchange gifts and show your appreciation for your family and friends, but that's not what all of this is about. And it's not just about the food, either.
There is, of course, the perpetual argument of saying "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays." There is the urgent need to swarm to the mall to get half-off Ugg boots for your little sister. And there is the constant obsession of pounding into your parents' heads that this is the phone you want for Christmas, not that one.
This isn't all bad, and it's understandable why we as a society have gotten so caught up in the festivities that we forget what it's about. I myself am not completely innocent on this issue, either. But what we need to do as a culture is start to open our eyes -- and our hearts -- to the bigger meaning behind Christmas.
I love a good meal, and I love opening presents with my family under a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but this excitement must not morph into greed along the way. Anticipation is what the season calls for, just not the kind our greedy culture has been experiencing. Our anticipation is for the actual reason for the season. And whether that means the birth and life of Jesus Christ for you or just being appreciative and loving of your friends and family for others with different beliefs, we must keep the true meaning of this holiday in our hearts.
Our world is experiencing more terror, war, and death than it has in a long time. The recent attacks in Paris and much less recent attacks in our own country has brought many on alert, especially this holiday season. This is even more reason for us as a whole to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, no matter your beliefs, and spread love and cheer and joy throughout the world in the face of terrorism and evil.
This is the time to show what Christmas means in many different ways. It is a time to band together and face hatred head-on with love and joy this holiday season, rather than the greed our culture has somehow become fixated on in the past.
