Looking for the “Christmas Spirit”
As the echoes of Thanksgiving’s gratitude still linger, the anticipation of Christmas envelopes us. The air is filled with the melodies of Christmas songs, resonating from department stores, doctor’s offices, grocery stores, and every corner where people gather. These songs echo through our home and car, their sole purpose seemingly to help us grasp that elusive “Christmas Spirit.”
With tireless dedication, my wife transforms our home into a dazzling wonderland. The twinkle of countless lights, a meticulously crafted manager scene that takes her days to perfect, Christmas teddy bears, figurines, and cards all come together to weave a tapestry of holiday magic. So brilliantly illuminated, our Christmas tree could be spotted by astronauts from the International Space Station. “Look there,” they might say, pointing a finger towards our home, “that’s the Hale Family Christmas Tree, and it looks magnificent!”
Her efforts are a labor of love aimed at making our home a reflection of the holiday season’s joy and warmth. I find myself seeking the holiday spirit by reminiscing about my childhood, eagerly hoping for presents that weren’t clothes. My parents, always practical, would buy the clothes my brother and I would wear for the next year during Christmas, mingled with a few cherished toys.
Each year, I return to the places of my youth, only to find them physically gone. One home is now a church parking lot, two others are part of a local coal mining operation, and one stands vacant, a closed restaurant facing the main road. Yet, these homes live on in my memories. Our family, perhaps except my father, always caught the “Christmas Spirit” and held onto it until after New Year’s Day.
As I grew into manhood, that magical feeling faded but returned with the birth of my own children. I reveled in sharing the season’s joy with them, discovering how effortlessly children embrace the warmth and joy of Christmas.
As my children have grown and left home, capturing that feeling of joy has become more challenging. It’s often said, “Memories are the quickest way back home,” these memories guide me in my quest to rediscover the “Spirit of Christmas.”
At the retirement center where my wife and I reside, they hire professionals to decorate the campus, and their work is nothing short of spectacular. Every corner exudes festive cheer, encouraging us to immerse ourselves in the holiday season. Our dining room offers special holiday meals, and our entertainment area hosts shows celebrating the “Reason for the Season.”
While Santa Claus brings joy to many, we Christians find our true celebration in the birth of Jesus Christ. My wife and I cherish the tradition of attending our church at 5 PM on Christmas Eve, watching children recreate the nativity scene, and celebrating the arrival of the three wise men with their gifts.
Studies reveal that 64% of us believe in God’s existence, and 79% believe in a higher power. Yet, only 30% attend church regularly, and a mere 21% go every week. Some studies suggest that as few as 5% of us attend church consistently.
If that 5% figure is accurate, it’s disheartening that the majority merely celebrate Santa Claus’s arrival. Gone is the belief in God’s gift of His Son to save us from our sins, the importance of the Ten Commandments, and the hope of life after death. However, for the 5% who hold onto their faith, Christmas remains a celebration of Jesus’ birth, with Santa playing a minor role.
Whether you believe in God or not, we hope you embrace the Christmas and New
Year celebrations. May your tree be surrounded by gifts and the people you love
most!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
….. Tommy
