A Time of Joy?

Oh Christmas time! As December 1st draws near, tomorrow in fact! Those who have not started their gift shopping will take notice of the countdown which will begin! Only 24 shopping days left until the big day!

This countdown will continue until the 24th day of December, like it or not. I am one of those people who do not believe in the modern version of Christmas. To shop aimlessly looking for gifts to buy for family or friends who do not really need anything.

We have been conditioned since childhood into believing that Christmas time is the time of giving; and that “giving” means buying items to give to others, as a present. We wrap these “gifts” with shiny paper and glittering bows, we decorate are homes inside and out! We even have a feast of delicious foods to gorge on. What are we celebrating again?

I use to shop like everyone else blindly following the blind. I would leave my shopping until the last week of December hoping that everyone else has finished theirs but… not a chance! In fact, it was probably much, more hectic than ever as… I was not the only one procrastinating.

The past couple of years has been different though. I no longer just think of giving as giving a gift. To give is, yes a most noble, selfless act. It is not the giving of a material object bought from a store and made (most likely) in China or some other foreign country that brings joy to others or ourselves.

To give of ones self, to give of ones time, ones talent, ones thoughts or ones wisdom or joy. This is the most we can do for someone else especially someone who is alone or forgotten. A good deed is long remembered after it is done and never forgotten.

I went out to the mall on Saturday, not to shop for Christmas gifts but to pick up an original work of art an acquaintance admired.
While making my way through the crowds of people milling about I noticed a common trait among them; no one had a smile on their face! Not even a hint of good will nor a trace of joy on their faces! Many looked down right irritable, and others looked as if they were on auto-pilot, just going through the motions. It got me wondering why? why? do they put themselves through this every year? When truly their heart is not really into it at all!

The whole meaning behind the message of Christmas has been lost. Lost in a mindless pursuit of the perfect gift, the perfect outfit, dinner party and so on. We have forgotten the true meaning of giving, lost it! to the corporations who have turned it into a major profit making affair.

I see no one smiling in those long line ups at the check out.

I see no one smiling in the malls as they hustle and bustle through the crowded isle-ways looking for the perfect gift.

I see no one smiling as they take out another credit card; they don’t have the cash to pay for it now.

I see no one smiling on the buses and subway cars; crowded with shoppers, loaded down with parcels and bags.

I see many people rushing about, irritated, annoyed and distracted with all they “think” is expected of them.

It has become a chore for many, an annoyance for some, and much too expensive for most.

It’s time to start fresh, give of yourself this year, instead of giving all your money to the credit industry.

IF you must give a gift, buy local, and make sure it was manufactured in your own country. Keep your country’s people employed with meaningful work, not just as “servants” or service workers.

Make a gift yourself, the time and effort you put into it, will show how much you really care and you just may feel a sense of self satisfaction and pride in workmanship. We do not have to buy every gift we give.

Sometimes the best gift costs no money at all.

Give some joy this year, and you will receive it!