I’m fortunate to have special loved ones in my life during this festive season, even if many of them live far away. For that I am truly grateful. But recently I’ve found myself stepping back a little so as to become the observer and as I observe the preparations for the annual Christmas season festivities I can’t help but notice the great chasms of difference between those who are looking forward with great excitement for what this day will bring and those who are dreading it or just wishing it would go away or was over. Spare a thought for the people who working hard in the retail and hospitality sectors who are tired and wishing for a well-deserved break.
We all understand that this time is to celebrate the birth of the messenger Jesus Christ who gave of himself for others.
However it seems that there’s much emphasis nowadays on how much we will spend, HAVING to buy presents with limited time and for people looking forward with great excitement to the Christmas celebrations, there’s much expectation placed on how wonderful it all will be when we do everything so perfectly to make the day special. The reality is it doesn’t always go according to plan, but with great love and commitment the family squabbles generally all get worked out in the end and create wonderful memories to look back on in years to come.
Then there are others who are obviously in crisis in some form or another, perhaps financial, those for whom the expectations of providing a wonderful Christmas day for their family creates great stress. There are those who will experience trauma and crisis in some form due to increased alcohol consumption or the proximity of those people closest to them who provide the emotional triggers that send them into deep depression or anger directed at those around them. There are those for whom this time brings great sadness due to the loss of a loved one who will not be present in physical form this year for the celebrations.
And there are yet again others who live on the periphery of all this – those who are like shadows, on the outside, watching, observing, alone and wondering why this is so. For some people, the fact that the shops are closed on Christmas Day means that they will have lost their opportunity to interact with others, to be in the presence of people and activity for that one day – this I observed firsthand from my experience working in a major shopping centre. The staff and regulars at the Centre provided a kind of ‘family’ for them, and it was a place they were known and recognised and people sometimes made eye contact with them. The odd days when the Centre was closed were sad days for them.
So, in the midst of all these festivities, I’d like to acknowledge the work of the volunteers, the charities, the individuals who reach out to others to help and make this festive season a bit special for the people who otherwise would find nothing at all to celebrate at this time of year. Congratulations and Season’s Greetings to you all – the people who really understand the special meaning of giving during this Season. I salute you.
And if you’re one of the people feeling sad or alone, do something wonderful for yourself and reach out to others. Understand that you are not alone, there are many others who are feeling just like you. And give yourself the gift of acknowledging that you are unique, you have many special gifts and talents that you may well have buried over the years. Whatever you have done, whatever you have experienced, find your light within. It is always there. Set yourself free from expecting that you need to be exactly like other people doing exactly what others are doing this year and spend your day doing something you love for yourself. Begin by loving yourself, shine your light brightly and you can begin to create the kind of reality you wish for…