“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.
It is happiness because we see joy in people. ” – Thomas S. Monson
The anticipation begins building before Hallowe'en, as people begin to think about their gift list and how to plan the multitude of events that inevitably follow. Thanksgiving becomes, in a sense, a warm-up for that big day in December. Trips are planned, reservations are made, and time-off scheduled, time carved out so families can gather. This is important because as life ages us and our children grow old...er...those times when we can all gather under the same roof become rare; treasured like a chestful of precious gems.
There is a darker side to this time, characterized by greed, self-absorption, and a deep sense of a quid pro quo entitlement where the gift you give is clearly defined by the gift you received last year. One only has to watch the chaos at the big box stores on Black Friday to see those elements at play.
But for most of us, at least I hope for most, Christmas is honored in the way and for the purpose for which it was conceived. Some 2,000 years ago, give or take, a family left their home in a small, inconsequential village in Judea and traveled to the governmental and administrative hub for their province, the bustling city of Bethlehem. They were required to make this journey because the government required an annual census of the population. Because of the enormous influx of people, all the inns were full to capacity. In sympathy for Mary's advanced pregnancy, the wife of one of the innkeeper's allowed them to lodge in one of the caves used for livestock. They weren't homeless. There simply was no other sleeping space available. If we stopped in a town while on vacation only to find that every hotel was full, I don't think we'd call ourselves homeless, even if the situation warranted spending the night in the car.
A few hours later as a bright star shown overhead, a baby entered the world, much as billions of other babies have throughout human history. But this baby was different. Jesus, as his mother named him, was not truly the son of Joseph and Mary, but rather the only begotten son of God. Under humble and miraculous circumstances, Jesus began his journey on the complex and difficult path that would lead ultimately to his crucifixion.
As the scriptures note, God gave his son life so that he could perish in sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Of course, Jesus arose three days later proving that death is not the end we think it is.
But that gift is really what Christmas is about. God didn't expect a flood of thank you notes, nor did he expect or demand presents from us. God's gift, and Jesus' sacrifice was given out of love and nothing more.
This celebration and the gift-giving that occasions it is supposed to be our way of following that example. To give without thought of payback; to love without recompense; to live of life of service and giving to others defines the ideal of the season. And to do so without expecting anything in return -- even a thank you -- is the example we should follow.
The other facet is that this same spirit of selfless giving is not limited to the month of December. It is just as relevant in May, July, September or any other month. That elusive thing we call "the spirit of Christmas" which inhabits our hearts around this time of year should be present every day of our lives. We should always be willing to give of ourselves and our resources freely, even anonymously to those in need. The needs of others always first; our needs always last.
That's the ideal, anyway. But it's easy to see that in this growing secular world, Christmas, or "The Holidays" if one chooses to be PC, has become more about accumulation. And not of snow.
We have the choice. We can take our eyes off the small box of our personal concerns and see the needs of others. We can elect to put others before ourselves. We can choose to celebrate Christmas all year long, letting our lives reflect that divine selflessness. Instead of looking for those things which divide us, and letting our anger fly at those who have different opinions, we can look only for what we share between us. We can celebrate those common things that bond us as part of the larger human family and live together in peace.
It is our choice. God gave us the ability and freedom of agency, trusting that we would do the right thing.
For me, it took a child from the Peanuts series to express the true meaning of Christmas:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
That's what Christmas is all about. Living and loving the gift given to us, and passing that same gift of love to others. And choosing to live that same spirit always.
This year, what choice will we make?
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