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by Dr Neil Curley PhD WHEW!CHRISSeTasoMn AAgIaSitn's

E very 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 You know what! I am beginning to think about

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 what the Christmas spirit means. Maybe the story
impossible but then you check your calendar and it appears to be true! Yippee! "A Christmas Carol," had some great thoughts for
The excitement of the holidays will soon be upon us. We cannot wait for Santa me and not just for Ebenezer Scrooge. Perhaps I can
transition into a gentler, kinder person. I think I'll add
Claus to arrive!
Now I must sit down and organize myself. I have so much to do, holiday some names to my Christmas card list, some of the
decorations, Christmas cards, holiday gifts, holiday dinner preparations and people I've met during the past year to spread some
where did I hide those Christmas gifts and cards I bought on sale last summer. I Christmas cheer.
Well, we're off and running to Christmas 2016!
know they are in my home somewhere.
Whew! This is a happy season for sure but it also has added stress to the Happy Holidays to all – It is the Season to be Jolly!

special day because of the shopping, wrapping, mailing and financial concerns.
Christmas also brings back so many memories of Christmases past, the Neil B. Curley Ph.D, the writer of this article, was
joy of receiving gifts we wanted or disappointment at not receiving a special originally from the North Shore of Boston. He received his
something we wanted. It also brings to mind so many people who may no Educational Degrees: B.A. University of New England,
longer be part of our lives. Memories stir so many emotions and time seems to M.Ed Boston State College, Advanced Degrees C.A.G.S.
and Doctorate in Psychology Northeastern University,
have passed so quickly.
As I reflect on the upcoming Christmas holiday I begin to realize no matter and Ashwood University. He also hold a Doctorate
what my resources are that I have an opportunity to contribute to someone. It in Theology conferred by United Faith Ministry.
could be a little smile and greeting to a stranger or a little coin in a charity box Further Educational Study has been done at Wurzburg
University, Germany and the University of Guam.
to spread cheer to others.

94 Life in Naples | December 2016