As the air changes temperature, carts are zooming around the isles at the hands of eager men and women dying to get the greatest toy for their kids, whatever price it takes.
This has become the norm for most families gathering around stores waiting for the big sales when three decades ago, families would gather around the television and wait with popcorn in hand anticipating for the premier of a new Christmas movie.
According to Merriam Webster, the true definition is "a Christian holiday that is celebrated on December 25 in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ or the period of time that comes before and after this holiday."
For me, Christmas means getting the translucent blue containers down from the attic with a clank as they hit each step of the ladder. The spirit of Christmas is definitely in the air as the lids snap off and we begin decorating our tree that's only a few mere inches taller than I am.
In my family, however, it is never just about trees and gifts. See the first six letters in Christmas? What does it spell? Christ. Christmas to my family is about the birth of Jesus Christ as his parents Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem.
If you ask Christina Young, she will tell you a simpler version:
"Christmas to me is a time to come together with family and celebrate the birth of Christ. Without him I would be no where because he loved all of us so much to die for our sins so without his birth we would all be doomed. Christ is about love and I believe that what he would want on his birthday is to spread love because through our love to each other his love shines the brightest."
Young's son even expressed how he wanted to give his old toys to kids who won't be able to get gifts this year.
Sadly, most of us forget the true meaning of this time of year as our world becomes a mecca of credit cards, receipts, wrapping paper and the ever so pleasant crying of little children getting socks for Christmas.
For Zach Robles, this time of year is a period where people can live in peace and forget about the drama that surrounds us daily. In his words:
Whether you are picking out the right ornaments for your perfect tree, or making sure each corner of your present matches the other, let's not forget the true reason for this season: Jesus Christ. Keep Christ in Christmas.
