Although I don't share the same religious belief as those who celebrate Christmas, I don't really get why people become offended by Christmas greetings and decorations. Every year there are stories of cities and towns being forced to remove wording and decorations from stores and displays. What's all the fuss about? Walk on by....try smiling and being glad people are in a good mood! People tend to perform random acts of kindness not otherwise forthcoming during the rest of the year. Relax, take it in!
For everyone here in the U.S. Christian and non Christian, this time of year can be special if we look past the symbols and reach for the greater meaning. It can be a time of reflection, a time of gratitude and a time of anticipation, especially for kids. Little things tend to mean a lot. Even if you don’t celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus or prepare for a visit from Santa, the air is somehow changed. I know I get pretty jazzed just finding a parking space within 5 miles of my favorite store!
This time of year brings out the best in some and the worst in others. I often wonder why that is. I mean why are people more generous this time of year instead of throughout the entire year? Why are some willing to injure others trying to get to that sale item first or that parking space that just opened up? Maybe it’s because even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, this time of year can be a symbol of renewal and hope for better things to come. To a few it could be the last chance to make the entire year’s trials matter or make sense which leads to crazy stress.
In our home we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukah this time of year. The “purists” say this is wrong and confusing to the children. How could this be? Technicalities aside, both celebrate a rebirth or renewal of faith and hope, a great message for anyone “believer or non believer”.
Although the stories are very different, they are the same, at least they are to me. The message is an important one. The message is that love, faith and hope are constants, not yearly events. Live your lives well and respect all others. No man is perfect and each is capable of learning and starting again each and every day. This is the message I hope my children can understand better as they mature and this is the message I pray finds all of us everywhere no matter what our faith and differences in our belief or non belief.
So in a very politically incorrect and hopefully offensive way… I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and blessed New Year!
AccentPositives provides effective and economical Home Staging Consultations and services on site and on line. We are located in Corona and service the Inland Empire of Southern California and the Palm Springs area. Call 951 833 8529 8529. Email staging@accentpositives.com. Visit www.accentpositives.com and www.accentingspaces.com.
