Merry Christmas, dear friends! I am thankful to Shilpa Garg for passing on the baton of spreading Christmas joy and spirit to me.
As you already know from Shilpa’s post— a few of us have gathered together for Secret Santa tidings, to spread the spirit of Christmas, by sharing what this day means to us. I am celebrating the spirit of Christmas with the #UnwrapChristmas blog post chain.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
— Dr Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
It is that time of the year once again when people all around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by following their unique beliefs and traditions. Christmas is a time to bond as a family when friendships are renewed, gifts are exchanged and the message of peace, love and harmony is spread across the world. It is the time to remind ourselves of the sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind and honour His memory by committing ourselves and upholding His spirit before the world.
Growing up in the beautiful North-East, where Christianity dominates, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy many Christmases in the past, the beautiful carols and hymns holding sway on my impressionable mind bringing me the message of hope for a new beginning and a renewal of spirit.
Today, if we look around, we find that Christmas has now grown beyond religion, having been adopted into most households, irrespective of the religion they belong to, as an occasion to decorate a tree and enjoy large family meals and trying to spread some happiness around. But, is Christmas just that? Or is there more to it? Thoughts that have often left me looking for answers everywhere.
What Christmas Means
In fact, all too often, we seem to forget that Christmas is also the season for giving and receiving love from our fellow beings. It is a time to take stock of our blessings and reach out to those who need help. It is all about being kind to one another, of showing compassion to the less privileged through gestures and actions that speak louder than mere words, and by doing so, touching another life in a way that few things can.
And, how can we do so?
Like being kind, for instance, or asking people how they’ve been doing, hugging or smiling, sharing someone’s pain by giving them a shoulder to cry on when they need it, or letting go and taking it easy on oneself, being kind to oneself too. At times, it could also mean dusting off one’s gloom and cheering others instead. And, that is what Christmas should be about.
From what I’ve seen, this is what I have deduced—that the Christmas magic is a very powerful one, but our hearts and the power it holds is even more magical. Our ability to be loving and caring to each other, of pledging to bring hope into our lives and the lives of others, are the greatest gifts to bestow and receive.
So, even though Christmas is a time for sharing in gift giving and receiving, yet, the best gifts are not those wrapped in beautifully coloured papers, but bound with the lovely threads of faith, hope, and love. Can anything be more beautiful than that?
As I sign off my post, I leave you all with glad tidings…May your hearts be filled with happiness, joy and peace and may your homes resound with laughter and love! Merry Christmas to you all!
With this post, I mark my very first year of writing for #UnwrapChristmas blog chain.
I now invite Keerthi Vydula to carry forth the Christmas cheer.
Beautiful post! Captures the true spirit of Christmas. <3 May peace and magic continue to be with us forever 🙂
Thank you very much, Ramya.So glad to hear this from you. Wishing you everything wonderful this festive season. Stay blessed. ❤️
Festival spirit is to give and receive from your heart, we often forget these things while celebrating. I hope we follow this throughout the year irrespective of festivals, the world would surely see a change then
You’re right, Mahek. A little kindness and a little act of love go a long way, and we all need to remember that.
True that
Lovely post that captures the true spirit of Christmas. And hope we all follow these all year through!
Thanks much, Shilpa. Yes, little things that make sense not just for Christmas but through the whole year.
Kindness and caring spreads across all faiths and all of humanity. Thank you for this heartfelt post. Happy holidays.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you too. 🙂
You echoed my feelings Esha. For me, Christmas is all about renewing our faith in the goodness and hope for the peace and harmony.
I loved the simple yet so powerful gestures you have mentioned in this post about reaching out to our near and dear ones.
Thanks, Anagha. I always felt these thoughts made me ponder and the post was a perfect opportunity to write about it. Small things that can mean a lot to those around us, Christmas or otherwise.
Beautiful, Esha. The spirit of Christmas is one that we should have all year through!
Thanks, Corinne! I agree…it should definitely not be a once-a-year thing…those little things matter a lot, don’t they?
Faith, hope and love can be game-changers! Not just for Christmas, but even otherwise. Loved reading this. Happy tidings!
Thanks for stopping by, Sreedeep. You are right…it’s these little things which make life worthwhile, isn’t it? Not just on Christmas but through the whole year. Merry Christmas to you too!
Yes, the little things mean a lot. If only so many of us realized it, the world would certainly be a much better place.
Absolutely Sreedeep. You said it.
I find it strange that while all religion preach humanity but none of them practices it in reality. In essence we are trying to please the unseen and ignoring the one present in front of us. Irony! For almost all religions, the journey has become more important than the destination. It is for this very reasons that we have so many versions of a religion. There is no greater religion than humanity! Some of the things you mentioned above has those elements that rekindle the feeling of humanity. Great going Esha!
You have a point, Arvind. I agree there is no greater religion than humanity. Being human should come over and above everything, I feel. I have never understood how over the years religion has turned into an industry, but it has and that is very sad! It divides where it should unite and breaks more than it can create. The hatred that comes from religious groups are the worst things about our times. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts here.
The only religions which I feel still has escaped are Sikhism and Buddhism. Sikhism still works on humanity and performing “kar seva” in gurudwaras. Well let’s admit most religions have become either a conduit for money or power, in essence losing its very purpose.
Well said, Arvind. It is sad to see how religious groups acting on behalf of their own religions are dividing people against eah other. Humanity is now the casualty and we are on a roll where the chain of actions are on an unstoppable path. We watch the spectacle and nod our heads in shame but nothing much comes out of it. Very sad indeed!
I think you have summed it up, nicely. Nothing much for me to add here, Esha!
So well put Esha! Indeed Christmas is not just fun, eating and making merry, it does go beyond. A time for sharing, caring and charity. Love the lines by Dr Seuss!
Thanks a lot, Kala. I love that quote especially in our present times when commerce takes over our lives and begins to dictate how we live!
Such is the spirit of Christmas Indeed! Loved reading the essence of the festival in your words Esha 🙂
Thanks Keerthi!
Loved your post.
Thanks Tina 🙂
Thanks Tina!