Whew! It’s Christmas Season Again

Neil Curley

Neil Curley

by Dr Neil Curley PhD

Every year after Thanksgiving most peoples’ thoughts turn to Christmas. Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer, holly wreaths, decorated trees, mistletoe, season’s greetings, Christmas greetings, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Santa Claus are all associated with this holiday.

Many people think this is the most wonderful time, focusing the participants on giving, family togetherness, beautiful music and decorations, feasting on special foods and singing Christmas carols and the sending of Christmas cards. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians.

Christmas Day (Old English Christmasse meaning Christ’s mass). The chronograph of 354 A.D. contains early evidence of the celebration on December 25 in Rome while in the Eastern Christianity the birth of Jesus was celebrated with the Epiphany on January 6.

Popular modern customs of the holiday are a special time when friends reach out to friends. Then there is scurrying in a frenzied hurry as shoppers dash from here to there to prepare for the big day.

Wow! It doesn’t seem possible that the holidays are not too far off. It seems impossible but then you check your calendar and it appears to be true! Yippee! The excitement of the holidays will soon be upon us. We cannot wait for Santa Claus to arrive!

Now I must sit down and organize myself. I have so much to do, holiday decorations, Christmas cards, holiday gifts, holiday dinner preparations and where did I hide those Christmas gifts and cards I bought on sale last summer. I know they are in my home somewhere.

Whew! This is a happy season for sure but it also has added stress to the special day because of the shopping, wrapping, mailing and financial concerns.

Christmas also brings back so many memories of Christmases past, the joy of receiving gifts we wanted or disappointment at not receiving a special something we wanted. It also brings to mind so many people who may no longer be part of our lives. Memories stir so many emotions and time seems to have passed so quickly.

As I reflect on the upcoming Christmas holiday I begin to realize no matter what my resources are that I have an opportunity to contribute to someone. It could be a little smile and greeting to a stranger or a little coin in a charity box to spread cheer to others.

You know what! I am beginning to think about what the Christmas spirit means. Maybe the story “A Christmas Carol,” had some great thoughts for me and not just for Ebenezer Scrooge. Perhaps I can transition into a gentler, kinder person. I think I’ll add some names to my Christmas card list, some of the people I’ve met during the past year to spread some Christmas cheer.

Well, we’re off and running to Christmas 2016! Happy Holidays to all – It is the Season to be Jolly!

Neil B. Curley Ph.D, the writer of this article, was originally from the North Shore of Boston. He received his Educational Degrees: B.A. University of New England, M.Ed Boston State College, Advanced Degrees C.A.G.S. and Doctorate in Psychology Northeastern University, and Ashwood University. He also hold a Doctorate in Theology conferred by United Faith Ministry. Further Educational Study has been done at Wurzburg University, Germany and the University of Guam.

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