Christmas is my favorite time of year. The weather is colder, people smile brighter and it's when we celebrate Jesus' birth. Some of my favorite memories involve decorating the tree, frosting cookies and playing Mahjong with my dad's family. This time of year, everything seems brighter. People are warmer, they smile and wish everyone a "Merry Christmas." It's a time for renewed hope and the promise of better times.
But this year, I haven't really felt any of those things. I haven't seen many Christmas lights decking the rows of houses in the city. I haven't frosted cookies, and I haven't made plans to sit down with anyone other than my boyfriend and my immediate family. "Merry Christmas," is met with condescending chuckles and "Happy Holidays, I guess."
Where did Christmas go?
Now, I know part of this is because of my age. I'm now an adult, living away from home, staying up at school to work through most of the holidays. But my age should have nothing to do with the dwindling Christmas spirit and cheer in those around me.
Christmas used to be a time when everyone came together as a community. There were tree lightings in city squares, Christmas parties, ice skating in downtown Hot Springs... Most importantly, everyone felt connected. No one was a stranger during Christmas time. People sat and talked at counters while buying their Christmas gifts. Families that only got to see each other once a year would gather around for dinner and laugh about old stories and their years.
This year, my family isn't even having a Christmas get together.
Our society is becoming more and more apathetic, and it has to stop. We no longer care about each other, but rather only about ourselves and our own fulfillment. We'll gladly fight that mom juggling three toddlers for that shiny new toy on Black Friday, but we won't stop for three seconds to say "Merry Christmas" to the guy walking down the street. We're ordering presents online, we're not bothering to hang up any Christmas lights... this isn't what Christmas is supposed to be about!
The greatest gift God ever gave us was born on Christmas.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2:11
So why aren't we celebrating? Why are we sitting in our homes complaining about the weather (which, believe me, I am guilty of)? Why have we stopped putting up our Christmas lights? Why have we stopped spreading the joy of Jesus throughout the holidays?
Even if you are not a believer in Christ, Christmas used to be a holiday that meant something to everyone. If it wasn't celebrated as a Christian holiday, it was celebrated as a time to visit family and friends. It was a time of rebirth and renewal and miracles.
I don't know why everything has started to change. I don't know why people have put away their Christmas lights and their holiday cheer. I don't know why everyone is too scared to say "Merry Christmas" to anyone they don't go to Church with. I just know I miss Christmas, and I can't be alone.
