‘Tis the season to spread that Christmas cheer
As finals have already started or are approaching for those who have to start next week, we begin to get into the Christmas spirit. But let us ask the traditional question for this holiday: what is the true meaning of Christmas?
Whether it is seeing the next winter blockbuster such as: Office Christmas Party, La La Land, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Collateral Beauty, Sing, Assassin’s Creed, Passengers, and Why Him, or it’s watching a timeless Christmas classic such as: It’s a Wonderful Life, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Elf, Home Alone, and The Santa Clause, it is all about who we are spending the time with during this holiday season. As we are counting down to Christmas, there are still those who focus more on receiving than giving. Although it is nice to get a gift that is either equal or just as thoughtful, it is more about family togetherness and how Christmas brings those who are different together as well.
We see, throughout every Christmas classic, the value of having the Christmas spirit and spreading it to others around us. We also have different cultural and religious traditions in celebrating the holidays, but even with our differences, we still come together. For example, since I’m in school and away from home, every Christmas Eve my little brother and I would watch both A Charlie Brown Christmas and the animated film How the Grinch Stole Christmas before going to bed. There are families whose traditions include volunteering at a soup kitchen, food shelf, Goodwill, etc. Some traditions may be considered small, but it’s the thought of spending time with the people that counts.
In a way, Christmas brings a new perspective to your life because this specific holiday shows what it means to be selfless. Christmas teaches us to think more of others and less of ourselves. It is not about the gifts, it is not about what you expected, but it is more about who you spend the holidays with whether it be friends or family. Christmas is that time of year to also be appreciative for the things you have had within the year as well. It doesn’t focus on just the one month of the year, but rather the year as a whole as we reminisce and appreciate the good and the bad things that have happened in our lives before the New Year begins.
Each Christmas movie has taught me different things to appreciate, but the main focus is on how we celebrate and come together for the holidays. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it is that time of year when I get to spend time with those whom I love whether it is friends or family. Even if you’re a Grinch or a Charlie Brown, it brings so much joy and happiness as we light up the atmosphere with our Christmas lights and spread that holiday cheer. Happy Holidays, everyone!