Its Christmas Again

Here we are.  Another Christmas. It comes around every year regardless of one’s circumstance.  For most it is a happy, joyful time filled with excitement of things to come and celebrating years’ past.  It is a time for shopping and baking and sharing gifts with those we love.  But not for all.  For some, the Christmas season is just a time filed with busy angry shoppers, commercials promoting toys children don’t need and parents can’t afford to buy, and credit card debt rising out of control just to fulfil one’s expected obligations.

For some, it is a time of reflection of a lifetime of regret.  A time when families are estranged and no friends are to be found.  It can be a very lonely time for many.  For me, it has always been such a letdown.  So much buildup and preparation. . . gone in 24 hours. And we are no better off than the year before.

There have been many studies that prove that the holiday season exacerbates mental illness resulting in crowed hospital rooms and psychiatric facilities.  Depression and suicide are on the rise. I think that the commercialization of Christmas and the focus taken off of Christ’s birthday has led to the not so jolly season.  It can make the less fortunate realize that they have been excluded from this time of joy and celebration.

What is the answer?  I don’t know.  Perhaps getting back to the roots of what Christmas is all about and reaching out to the lonely and less fortunate would be a good start.  Let’s make it a time of giving from the heart, not giving from our checkbooks.