AND WHEN THEY ASK "WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?"

It has been quite the year for everyone – both in a good and bad sense, but we have to be grateful for the overall good which is the gift of life. Being here is not by chance, but however you choose to see it, we are here and that’s what counts.

So many questions crop up at this time of the year; from Jehovah’s witnesses asking “does the bible ask you to celebrate Christmas?” to your friends and random girls asking for gifts to commemorate the season. The loudest question you are going to hear people ask is “what does Christmas mean to you?”

Ironically, whenever I see clergy men and other “important” people answer this question all the say is “this is not a season to eat and drink in excess… or indulge yourself in …bla bla bla”. 

For many years we have patiently and unwillingly learnt what Christmas is not and should not be, as the day approaches this year, this is what Christmas means to me.

1.     HAPPINESS

This is a time to put aside sad feelings and those moments that stole your happiness and find a way to create some happiness for yourself. You may have had quite the rough year, but think about the moments you have to be grateful for and win yourself a smile. The New Year will come with its stress and mess and you will have to face it again – but until then, this is the one week where you have to help yourself to be happy.

2.       FAMILY

Of all the things anyone could be grateful for in this season, family tops the list. Whether you are spending the holidays with them or not, be grateful for the fact that you have them. I have always been one to advocate that Christmas is spent with family whenever possible. So if you are over – indulging in too much food, drinks or whatever, you better be doing it with your family. Family is the best gift you can have this season – and it is only right to let them know you are happy to have them.

3.       A TIME FOR MAKING AMENDS

We all must have been on the wrong side of someone else this past year (or beyond), but if there ever was a perfect time to ask for forgiveness – this is it. We may have also been wronged by others too and this is the time to forgive them. Why? Because the guilt of an offence committed can steal our joy and the burden of a grudge carried around will definitely erode what is left of the joy.

4.       A TIME FOR CHANGES

New Year resolutions (however ineffective they may have been over the years) help us to make commitments as to how we plan to proceed in the coming year. This yuletide, we can try to make changes in areas of our lives that we are not completely satisfied with (everyone has something like that). It could be your weight, your fitness, spending or eating habits and so on. Making a commitment to a better life is definitely part of the message that Christmas passes.

5.       A TIME TO DO SOMETHING NICE

This season is all about being nice; we heartily wish strangers we do not know merry Christmas and Happy New year, smile at them for no reason, give gifts to or receive from people (some of whom we are not even sure we like to see – or like at all). This is the time of year to spread some cheer (did you see what I did thereJ). Do some charity work, some volunteer service, help someone in need (the list goes on, just be nice) this is the true reason for the season – for us all to be good people.

6.       A TIME TO SPEND WISELY

This particular issue cannot be over – stressed, please spend only what you can afford. January will come with its (not – very – fair) share of expenses and you need to be prepared. Children will return to school, insurance payments may be due, rents, business overheads will all creep in and this may lead you to start the year on an indebted note. An easy way to fall into the trap of unnecessary spending this season is to try and match the exploits of others. You do not have equal earning power with anyone – even if you think you do, you cannot vouch for how much they have saved up or if they have other sources of income (legal or not). For no reason should you try to do something because other people are doing it – because it will ruin you.

So whatsoever this season means to you, be moderate in most of it. But when it comes to being nice and loving, forget moderation because the world needs more love than it currently contains. Merry Christmas. And may we all have a Happy New Year.