The Magic of the Holidays

Since I was a child, I have always looked forward to Christmas time. It was more than just presents and the arrival of Santa. It was the feeling that happens starting with the holidays. I try to hold on that inexpressible feeling as long as I can. For me, it doesn't end on December the 25th. I don't know that it ever really ends but it does subside a bit as the new year begins to progress especially after all the decorations come down. Still, there is magic in the decorations, and mall Santa and the lights.

From my point of view, the most ridiculous thing you can tell me about is the "war on Christmas," which is something that was entirely fabricated to divide us. Why on earth would a business want to say "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? I don't suppose that it is because there might be other holiday events. The spirit of this time of year is one of acceptance and caring. It has little - or should have - little to do with whether we say, "Merry Christmas," or "Happy holidays," or  "Happy Hanukkah," or "Happy solstice," or "Happy Boxing Day," or "Happy Kwanzaa," or one of the other 20 plus holidays that occur in December,  some Christian and some not. In all honesty, no matter what has been said to me when I leave a store, no one has ever seemed offended by my wishing them a merry Christmas, and I've never been offended by them wishing me happy holidays.

There was a time that many businesses avoided involving their politics in their business. I know the last thing I want to do is go into a restaurant and hear how wonderful or how evil some politician or political party is. There are, in fact, several businesses that I don't go to because of this. I'm not talking about businesses that take a moral stance but ones that involve themselves in unadulterated politics. And there is a difference between the two. Standing on principles takes courage.

A while ago, I read an editorial. A good editorial is designed to make us think. Unfortunately, too often we confuse the editorials with the news. They aren't. The opinion of this particular editorial was that parents who tell children that there is a Santa Claus are creating a lie that ultimately will harm the child. The writer has missed the point. There is a magic to the holidays that I wish we could hold onto. That magic, that feeling, that is embodied by Saint Nick is the point. It is the gift, that is given to all of us at this time of year, and I don't mean toys. There is a magic in believing in someone who gives us so much just for being good. I believe. So I want to give you that gift or at least remind you of it. I hope your holidays, no matter which one you celebrate, are blessed and your life is filled with a little magic. It's not a lie to believe in the spirit of the holidays. Happy holidays.