This post was originally published on Wise & Shine in December 2022.
Christmas, as Andy Williams sings, is the most wonderful time of the year.
But why?
As Will Ferrellās Buddy the Elf might ask, doesn’t it āsit on a throne of lies?ā
Santa Claus is a myth. Rudolph was created by a sales and advertising team. Certain scholars debate the historical existence of Jesus. Same for the details of Hanukkahās origin story. At least historians agree that Saturnalia was quite the party before it got swallowed up by Christmas.
Overall, our December holidayās track record of authenticity is weak.
And yet, Christmas remains somehow real. It is meaningful, special and important.
Christmas is still king of the holiday calendar because, despite overblown commercialism, itās at this time of year that weāre reminded to focus on the right things. Family, friends and loved ones. Empathy, compassion and goodwill. Gratitude, joy and happiness. Love.
Whether the structures surrounding Christmas are real or not, we make the individual and collective decision to participate. And it becomes real. December has a special vibe to it. That vibe is real. The intentions we set for the season are real. And theyāre important.
Through the December holidays we remind ourselves that we are capable of more. We can be our best and highest selves. We can change our attitude and our focus. We can remake the world. We just have to choose to do it.
What if we did choose to do it- year round? Would we find Bing Crosbyās lyric in āThe Spirit of Christmasā to be true? The song suggests that āitās not the things you do at Christmas time, but the Christmas things you do all year throughā that hold the holidayās power.
I think we would find that sentiment to be as true as this wonderfully artificial holiday is real
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Thank you, Todd, for sharing this inspiring post! I agree, the more Beings that knowingly recognize Christ Consciousness or Buddha Nature within themselves, the better. Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season. š
Thank you Art! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
I love your statement, “The intentions we set for the season are real. And theyāre important.” That resonates so much with me. Thank you, Todd for the reminder and inspiration!
Thanks for reading Wynne- Iām glad it connected with you š
I agree with all your sentiments. The time does feel special. (Just last night my wife and I were out for a walk and looking at all the lights and other decorations put up by our many neighbors.) It also helps that we get a bit of a break from work. That’s a sentiment expressed by ye ole Working Stiff.
Haha thanks Troy- I like your new nickname š
Keeping the Christmasā spirit all year long would mean a lot of good things. For me Christmas is above all about peace and love. therefore at least all the wars waged by Christians would stop. This would the best gift I ever receive!
Well said Cristiana šÆ
I’ve fought with my dislike of this time of year for a while and you pinpointed the why: artificial. Why can’t we take the sentiment of kindness, joy, giving, etc. to the rest of the year? Some people do, and I suppose those are the ones that aren’t artificial. Thanks for your thought-provoking post.
Thanks for reading and commenting Merielle! Like you said, some people do employ the Christmas sentiment all year through- hopefully more will join them.
An inspiring post, Todd.
I love, ” Itās at this time of year that weāre reminded to focus on the right things. Family, friends and loved ones. Empathy, compassion and goodwill. Gratitude, joy and happiness. Love.”
If only all of us could do this year around, what a wonderful world it would be!.
Happy holidays.
Wonderful indeed. Thanks Chaya!
I love the notion of ‘setting intentions’…and I agree with you about the vibe. It IS real. Thanks, Todd! š
Thanks Victoria!
Anyone who debates the historical existence of Jesus is just someone with an agenda.
That may very well be true. From what Iāve read, most do accept him as a historical figure.
How did I miss this wonderfully inspiring post in my feed, Todd? Simply brilliant. It reminds me of the sentiment in the Bryan Adams song, āChristmastimeā.
Thanks Michelle! Itās a repost from last year but I think I did it incorrectly because it seems like nobody is seeing it š . Iām a Christmas music lover but donāt know Bryan Adamās song. Iāll check it out- thanks!
I always notice that when I republish old posts. They usually show up in the reader but no email is generated. If anyone has a solution for that, Iād love to know about it.
The Bryan Adams song goes way back to the 80s. Itās on my Christmas Favourites playlist.
If itās from the 80s, itās got to be good -right?! š¤©
Most definitely!