Put More Meaning In Christmas This Year

Christmas has become so commercialized that many people spend little time thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. It is the happiest time of year for Christians celebrating the birth of Christ. Our children’s excitement is focused on Santa Claus and what presents they are going to get. Adults are in a frenzy deciding upon who to give to and what to buy, buying the presents, decorating the house and planning holiday events. Multitasking is the norm today and during the holiday season the tasks pile on. The additional work required to perform all the tasks to get ready for Christmas oftentimes make it difficult to enjoy the holidays. Let alone to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Celebrations in families who try to focus on the true meaning of the holidays begin on the first Sunday of Advent. Special prayers are said at the dinner table each evening of Advent while lighting a candle on the advent wreath. The family starts to prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas day.

Strong religious conviction and practices like going to church and saying prayers are not required to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, it is about Christ’s birth but it’s also about the principles that Christ espoused that make us better human beings and better members of our communities. Think about those things that you can do to make other peoples lives better.
Giving is important during the holiday season. Our focus is on giving to our friends and family. It’s also important to give to those less fortunate. Buy gifts and drop them off at your local homeless center. Give to toys for tots. Participate in local food drives to build up the quantities of food needed to help those in need throughout the winter.

Show you care by visiting nursing homes and children’s hospitals, the sick and the elderly. Give them the gift of your time. Sing Christmas carols. Bake Christmas cookies and take to new neighbors or elderly neighbors.

Volunteer to serve a meal at a homeless center or take Christmas dinner fixings to someone less fortunate. Help local community service groups deliver food and toys to families in need. Help sell Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths to raise money for non-profit community agencies.
Oh yee of little faith can spread the joy of the holiday season by adopting these virtues and practicing them. Our focus is on our family and friends but to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas is to give, share and serve your community as well as your family and friends.

Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath Company. Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar Harbor, Maine, handcrafts fresh Maine balsam fir Christmas wreaths, Christmas Centerpieces and Kissing Balls which are shipped directly to customers and corporate clients throughout the United States.