What’s In A Holiday
The holidays are usually filled with the hustle and bustle of running from store to store, Christmas parties, and family gatherings. Still, as you know, 2020 has thrown a significant curveball to us all. As I reflect on holidays past, I wonder to myself, what’s in a holiday? What makes this time of the year special and unique? As I ponder on that question, I’m instantly transported back to my childhood. My mind begins to capture the memories that gave me, as a young child, a feeling of awe and wonder. Is it the memories of gifts, family, food, old Christmas movies that would come on each year, or is it something deeper?
Before I go on, I would like to acknowledge that not all of my holiday memories give me the warm and fuzzy feels, and I know some of you can relate. Even though we can look back with a great deal of fondness, I’m sure the reality is that the Holidays can be quite a difficult time for some of us out there. I’m sure the disappointment of not getting that one gift you really wanted as a child can still have you harboring a little resentment. In my case, the loss of a dear loved one always elicits a little holiday blues around this time of the year. I can even remember feeling a slight presence of sadness, knowing that some people were in great need. Even as a child, I was very aware that this time of the year could bring great sorrow to adults and children alike. Yet each year, I look forward to the idea of Christmas spirit and cheer. But Why?
The first signs that the Holiday season was upon us was always the old familiar Christmas songs that would start to play in the stores and on the radio. Then the lights would go up all around town. Immediately I would begin to look forward to my favorite Christmas cartoons and movies. I was most excited to see around this time the big Toys R Us Catalogue that would come in the mail. Once I had that in my little hands, I could now begin to make my Christmas list of toys I would probably not receive. Now, I’m not sure if many of you can relate to performing in the school Christmas play. Still, I also had the added layer of having to be a part of my church Christmas presentation. As I sit here grinning thinking of those childhood memories, I’m also just amazed thinking about how time has flown by.
So, Is it the nostalgia that keeps me looking forward to the Holidays? With the ups and downs of 2020 and the great sadness this year bestowed on many, I think there is an insatiable need for the idea of Christmas spirit and cheer. There is still the need for the familiar, for the things that give us comforter and most of all, hope. For me, what’s in the Holiday is Hope! It’s hope that people will come together for a brief moment, bring kindness, and try to embrace the idea of the Christmas spirit. Whether the Christmas spirit is rooted in the hope of baby Jesus or the hope in something else, we all are invested in the need for brighter days. This year on my Christmas list is the wish for better days for us all, and may we all feel the kindness and love of others this Holiday season.
