by Nire Leinado Samoht

Created on: December 04, 2009

Christmas is the most Wonderful Time of the Year; it says so in a song. It's full of magic and lights, hot cocoa and brightly wrapped presents under a decorated tree. I personally don't have one this year, and I don't plan on having one, despite my spouse's original wishes, and nagging from my children, however traveling is my excuse this year and has saved me in some sense. However my mother isn't letting me off the hook so easily. It's her favorite time of the year.

As for myself well, the last couple of years I have lost my "Christmas Spirit". I believe in a higher being and I don't mean to come across as bitter, but having discovered how and where the holiday is truly from, well I'm truly appalled quite honestly. Santa Claus or Jesus... well, I love a good story with a happy ending I'll take either. However, both stories are from some truth and redone so many, many times, that's all they are, and the truth beneath just doesn't hold for the purpose. I would love to know why saying Happy Holidays is such a crime if that's all it is; time off to spend on "holiday" with friends and / or family. Faith that there is something more in the air when humanity takes a step back from their muddled lives to be kind, and giving to others will move mountains, too bad we can't be that way year round....maybe we could actually achieve some sort of "peace on earth".

So, the question is of which one: Santa or Christ? I asked my husband, and the simple answer is both and neither. St. Nick was about giving and helping others, and God was about giving humanity his only son. Giving is the reason for the season, what you're giving may be the key. Are you giving more of yourself to others, or are you giving your money to the stores so as to please people around you and not really have to put your heart into it for another year. As far as adults go, I really feel we could be doing more for our neighbors who need help paying a bill or in need of a home cooked meal, maybe a co-worker or some else in need. Children can learn to give back to a friend or loved one by helping out in the home with something special. I am not against buying gifts; however the commercialized world is way out of hand. Many children, mine included to some extent, have become detached from the purpose of giving to others without expecting something in return.

Santa and Christ are stories from real heroes we can take examples from. Give from your heart to people who need it the most, no matter who they are. Love is the key to finding the right gift to give.

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