Are you properly celebrating this holiday?
From a cultural and family perspective, Christmas is the most significant holiday in most of our Western nations. The holiday is celebrated between December 24 and December 25 of every year, people usually get together with family and/or friends, they exchange gifts, enjoy a party, drink and eat dinner in settings that are appropriate for these celebrations. From a very human perspective, it is reasonable to expect that everything mentioned will be positive, but it seems that more and more people are losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.
Nowadays, Christmas has shifted toward Santa Claus, exchanging gifts and having parties and people are forgetting the real meaning, which is a time to reflect on the preparation of the Nativity of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return.
"To give up one's very self — to think only of others — how to bring the greatest happiness to others — that is the true meaning of Christmas." - The American magazine, volume 28 from 1889
The idea of getting together and having a good time with family or friends was gradually lost over the years due to various social factors and the passage of time up to the present. Although it is not the only reason for this holiday, the beauty of receiving gifts has contributed to it taking on a commercial tone, which has converted a joyous holiday into a victim of capitalism. More prevalently we are seeing that gifting presents is reserved for family members yet the identity of gift giving originally was to give to those who most needed it as Saint Noel did.
Christmas should not be an exclusive party reserved for our relatives and friends. We should extend our kindness beyond that because that is what Christmas is about, spreading love around the world. According to a study of the institute of politics, family unity, forgiveness, and the generosity of sharing time with loved ones are few of the characteristics needed in the search for happiness. Why don't we, in the most wonderful time of the year, follow these characteristics? Because, in the end, spreading happiness and joy is the true and unchangeable essence of Christmas. So know that you are notified, remember to use this time to reflect, heal, renew strength and LOVE.
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