Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas – or Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings or whatever else you might choose to share as a greeting at this most wonderful time of the year. I understand that many do not believe in the religious origin of Christmas as the day that is set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as the Savior in Christian religions. But, I do respect all holidays throughout the year and the remembrance that each represents and Christmas is no exception. The spirit of the season is just wonderful and it is what I want to share with everyone that I meet.

My Christmas Wish for you this season is that you enjoy the peace and warmth and wonder and good will of the season this Christmas and hold on to those feelings for as long as you can for every day in the future.Barbara Jacoby

Of course I don’t expect everyone to embrace this spirit. There are many reasons that people choose not to do so and I am truly sad for them as they are missing out on something that is pretty special. It really doesn’t matter what your circumstances may be or what you have had on your plate during the past year because the spirit of caring and loving and giving that fills the air at this time of year is freely given to all who want to embrace it and it doesn’t cost a single penny.

I personally have known Christmases where I had no money for presents. I have had Christmases where I have dealt with personal and family illnesses. I have had Christmases that I could not spend with my family. But, regardless of the situation, I have never lost the desire to enjoy the holiday and spend it with others and embrace the spirit of the season and what it represents on so many levels.

What I have found over the years is that despite whatever else may be going on in my life, the Christmas spirit can override it all. It has never been about the gifts that one can or cannot give and/or receive but rather about the love that one is willing to share. Have you ever noticed the extra laughter in your workplace or the efforts made to get together with co-workers and associates and friends? There are even holiday parties and get-togethers with others at this time of the year that may not occur at any other time throughout the rest of the year. And yes, it truly seems that all of this is about the wonder of this particular season.

Most importantly, I am sure that if you focus on all of the wonderful Christmas seasons that you have experienced in the past, they far outweigh those that may have been not so good. Perhaps you can embrace the memories from your childhood and those of the children that have surrounded you over the years. And remembering those feelings, you have the opportunity to experience them again year after year if you just choose to embrace the child within. My Christmas Wish for you this season is that you enjoy the peace and warmth and wonder and good will of the season this Christmas and hold on to those feelings for as long as you can for every day in the future.