Holidays, Traditions, Disappointments and Hopes

Well, here we are at the end of 2020.  Each month seemed to bring with it a new challenge to overcome.  I think the biggest challenge this month is to find some kind of holiday spirit despite not being able to carry out holiday traditions.

Radio stations are still playing songs for the holidays.  My local station is playing a wide variety of holiday songs from Bing Crosby to Rascal Flatts and Josh Groban.  Many of the classic Christmas carols are not played anymore as new ones take their place, so it’s nice to find a station that also plays the old classics and singers.

Houses all over the country are outlined in colored lights. Many lawns are littered with the huge inflatables of Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus.  Decorated trees are visible in the windows of most homes.  Streets in the cities and towns have large green and red adornments to acknowledge the season.

Everything looks like it did last Christmas —  and the one before that, and the one before that.  What’s missing this year is the spirit of the holidays.  Many places have cancelled the Christmas parades that have been held for years.  In some areas, instead of the floats moving in a line, the onlookers are welcome to drive past them as they stand still.  Let’s not even talk about Christmas parties and family get togethers.

This is a meager Christmas for many people.  2020 was a financial disaster for a large number of people.  There isn’t enough money to pay the monthly bills, much less considering buying gifts for loved ones.  

There are tables with empty chairs where loved ones used to sit.  Video visits replace the large gatherings that have been tradition in most families.  Gifts are exchanged through the post office or a delivery service because people aren’t able to exchange them in person.

With all of these changes and disappointments, one may ask how we are supposed to find the spirit of the holiday.  Admittedly, it isn’t easy. But, it is possible.

The key is to focus on other people.  No matter what we are facing in our own lives this year, we aren’t alone in our sufferings.  Somewhere out there, others are dealing with the same things we are.  

One family may not be able to afford the traditional Christmas ham for dinner, while another family can’t afford to have any food for Christmas dinner.  Almost every family has been touched by the loss of someone special that makes it hard to celebrate. 

When we are suffering, it’s easy to forget about other people. and focus on our pains and losses.  Sometimes it can feel like we are alone in the world.  Perhaps we ARE alone in our own personal world, if we have put barriers up to keep others out.

Instead of focusing on the missing traditions and people, let’s focus on helping each other in whatever way we can.  It doesn’t have to be financial.  Sometimes, just a phone call or a text message that says “I’m thinking of you.” is all it takes to bring a smile to someone who is suffering.

Maybe this is the year to start new traditions in your family.  Share a smile, a phone call, an email or a card.  Do something kind to someone else while you are out and about.  Go to the home of someone who lives alone and serenade them with a couple of Christmas carols outside their door, or leave them a platter of Christmas cookies.

Share the smiles you want to see.  Be the kindness you want to receive.  I think the key to finding the Christmas spirit is to share the spirit of Christmas.  The worst place to be during the holidays is lonely.  If we look out for each other, nobody has to feel the loneliness.