It's the most wonderful time of the year...or is it?

Christmas time will soon be here and yet I hate to say that it doesn't feel very wonderful this time around. Don't get me wrong...this is my absolute most favorite time of the year. The parties, family gatherings, and the innocence of children as they marvel at the splendor of the season. I just feel like we, as a society, have lost touch with the true meaning of Christmas and the holiday season in general. Our society has become one that places way too much emphasis on being selfish and materialistic that when the season arrives it becomes a rat race to see who will be able to get "me" everything that I have asked for on "my" wish list. Instead of staying up late with family on Thanksgiving night reflecting on the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us, it becomes a war council as family members sit around the sales ads and map out their plan of attack. When did it become so important to go out in the wee hours of the morning to spend ridiculous amounts of money on gifts that have no sentimental value? When did fulfilling your family's "wish list" become the only way to make them happy? And when did it become acceptable to be disappointed when you don't get everything you ask for?



It sickens me to think that our generation is contributing to this commercialism and doing nothing to stop it. I remember growing up as a child, the only time we ever told anyone what we wanted for Christmas was when we would make that special trip to see Santa Claus, the man himself, with our list of things we would like but never expected to receive. Well...at least not all of it anyway. If you were really good that year you might be lucky enough to receive one or two, maybe even three of the items on the list you left with Santa, but never did you receive every single thing. I mean really, who was ever that good in a year? I still received gifts and whatever it was, I was happy to receive them. Never did I complain that I did not get everything on my list. That was just the way it was. As I grew older I continued to express the same sentiment and to be grateful for whatever I received because it meant the gift giver took the time to think about me and that meant more to me than the gift itself. If only things were still this simple today. I like to think that I have instilled this way of thinking in my children and I hope that they will continue to feel this way as they grow older.

So is it the most wonderful time of the year despite all of the commercialism? At the end of the day I think it is what we choose to make of it. If we can overlook the long, unrealistic wish lists, the hectic social calendars, and the "bah humbug" attitude that tends to surface as Christmas approaches, it can be possible to enjoy all the wonder of the season. The lights that sparkle all aglow, the innocent twinkle in a child's eye, and the delectable scents and tastes of the season are sure to bring a smile to even the most grumpy of grumps and lure you in to the magical moments that abound as the wonderful season draws near. All complaints aside, I still love this time of year more than anything and look forward to it every year no matter what. After all...it is the most wonderful time of the year:)