by Blaize Shepherd

Created on: September 14, 2010

Of course Christmas has been commercialized, what other way to in the world is there to seek out the things that make us happy? Somehow, someway, every single person that believes in Christmas has that secret desire to find the Christmas spirit. Even if it means going to a store and buying it.

The better question to then ask would be this how are you going to share that Christmas spirit? In my family, we accept that commercial stores recognize that they can make a profit off of our desire to share the Christmas spirit with some other family and it doesn't change the fact that we will go buy something we can share with someone less fortunate.

I think about Christmas past, when my father lost his job. We lived in a tight community, where everyone knew everyone. My parents were so focused on the religious aspect and always encouraged us kids to share and help others, the greatest gift being love. This year especially, with nine kids and no money, they felt compelled to prep us kids early for what the true meaning of Christmas was all about. Us kids all listened intently, hoping for presents, but not expecting anything at all after the stern speech and religious focus.

Instead we helped the elderly neighbors shovel their walks, fix things and funny now that I think about it, help them wrap presents for their family.  It was a good Christmas, even with the few things we got, because we were all together as a family sharing it. It works the same way now that I am older and have a family. We still share, help our neighbor and my children know the true meaning of Christmas. Surely, if you have the money to provide something better for someone else and bring some type of happiness into their life or make it better somehow, why wouldn't you or anybody else want to try to do this for someone else, without expecting anything in return?  It is more about the values that we teach our children during this commercialization of Christmas.

 We seek it out year after year. Some family or individual, with or without children, a family that needs clothes, food, shelter and even a family that just could use something new like a car that will help them get back and forth to their job, so they can provide some type of happiness for their own family. Selfless giving that is what it is all about. With or without the involvement of commercialization or money.

Recognizing that there is more than just yourself in this world and sharing a part of yourself even if it is your wallet, to help someone else. Just because stores commercialize Christmas, doesn't mean you have to take it personal, take advantage of the opportunity the stores provide you,  to be able to provide something better for someone else, something they might not be able to afford on their own. Encourage your friends and family to participate in sharing with others. Something this world could use a lot more of, love, consideration of others situations, sensitivity, charity and togetherness.

The commercialization of Christmas is being misconstrued, you see you just have to find the right way to utilize the commercialization of Christmas, by being genuine and helping some one else besides you.

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