Music ushers in the Christmas season. We all recognize the season when we hear those familiar songs, and we know that Christmas is just around the corner.
Whether it is: “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”, “Jingle Bells”, or “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” being broadcast over the public address system at the Mall, or choirs singing: Joy to the World, Hark the Hearld Angels sing, or Handle’s Messiah warming our hearts and filling our sacred spaces. When we hear this music, we know it is Christmas. They all speak of good cheer, merry making and most importantly, the Nativity of Christ.
The season just before Christmas is called Advent, it is a four-week period of preparation and anticipation for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the Second Coming of Christ:Each of the four weeks are marked by the theme of: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace, which suggests special focused intentions during Advent.
The Christmas season for people who identify with the Christian faith, is a time to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, and to remember the importance of this monumental event in human history. I believe that all of us, regardless of our faith traditions, can appreciate Christmas because the essence of Christmas is rooted in goodness, hope, love, joy, peace and I will add charity.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. The name Christmas is a joining of two words, “Christ” and “mass”, which means the ‘Christ- mass’, which celebrates the Nativity. A Mass service, which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist, is wheremany Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The Christmas story is the story of God becoming a human being and dwelling among us in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Around the world, Christmas is known as a season filled with hope, joy, happiness, and generosity. Everyone seems to be happier at Christmastime. Families gather for annual dinners to fellowship with one another, holiday decorations are put around and outside of the home and even on the town’s square; to get us into the Christmas spirit, radio stations begin to play Christmas music. Old movies like “Miracle on 34th Street”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “Scrooge”, Charlie Brown Christmas definitely celebrates the birth of Jesus. And I think “The Lion,witch, and the Wardrobe”, has very prominent themes throughout. They all stream over our devices, all meant to evoke a sense of holiday cheer in the hearts of their audiences. Happiness during Christmastime can be a contagious feeling for many, and there are various psychological reasons for the inevitable happiness that many experience during the holiday season.
Being able to experience the nostalgic moments that are associated with the Christmas season can make anyone’s heart smile. The opportunity to take a pause from life’s stressors, be with loved ones, and experience the gift of gratitude can enhance one’s state of well-being. Having the time to reflect on the joys of life can help an individual to be in tune with their inner child.
In preparation for this major Christian holiday that everyone seems to benefit, from the secular to the sacred, we dress up, have parties, attend concerts, take the day off from work, since so much of our commerce is still on this day. Many of us will go to our places of worship to commemorate this event where we welcome friends and visitors who don’t normally attend church, except on the two “bookend” feasts of the Christian faith, Christmas and Easter. But more so I believe, the entire world seems to pause on this day, because it is Christmas.
Research has shown that the mere thought of Christmas can cause various regions in the brain to light up, which generates an emotion commonly known as “Christmas cheer.” Experiencing “Christmas cheer” is different for everyone since everyone has their own personal ties to Christmas, whether that is upholding family traditions, hanging out with friends, going on vacation, baking cookies for Santa or attending religious services. These positive ties to Christmas can instantly increase someone’s anticipation to experience the holiday joy for themselves. This anticipation can usually result in people decorating early for Christmas, listening to Christmas music as early asThanksgiving, or shopping for presents for their loved ones all year long.
The essence of Christmas is rooted in goodness, joy, and charity. This can be a huge indicator as to why people are more likely to give to others who are in need during the holiday season. Christmas is a time where people take joy in making others happy and want to continue the cycle of happiness for as long as possible.
However, I would be remissed if I did not acknowledge that for some of our sisters and brothers, Christmas is not a joyful time. The season can bring sadness shrouded in darkness. It is called “Blue Christmas” for a reason. So, let us not forget them as we celebrate. Although the Christmas season may seem to be a joyful time for most, it can be dreadful for some who have never had positive experiences to associate with the holiday. If an individual has dealt with broken relationships and trauma during the holidays or has never celebrated Christmas with their family, then they may not have a joyful response to Christmas. For individuals with negative associations to Christmas, a shift in mental perspective or creating positive experiences for themselves and others could help with boosting morale during the holiday season.
May God grant you peace and serenity this holiday season, because Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. It is about how he came to bring peace and to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn’t change from year to year or how we choose or not choose to recognize or celebrate it. When there is so much bad news and devastation in the world, this is good news worth celebrating; we all can benefit from Christmas!
There is an expression, ‘To make Merry’, which means to be joyful, celebrate, and be in general good cheer. So, to say “Merry Christmas” to someone, implies that people should make merry and enjoy in the celebration of Christ’s birth.Christmastime gives us all an opportunity to happily reflect on the past, be joyful in the present and be hopeful for the future.
Here is wishing you joy as we remember the miracle of Christ’s birth this season. May the glory of our Savior’s birth fill your heart with peace and love this Christmas. Let the peace of Christ’s love be with you this Christmas and always. May your Christmas be filled with the joy of Christ and His everlasting love, hope, joy and peace. Merry Christmas!
