Gifts come in many forms

Santa Claus is coming to town. It won’t be long before that last, elusive gift has finally been bought, wrapped and put under the Christmas tree. Soon enough all of the carefully wrapped paper will be torn to shreds. The presents that Santa brought will either be welcome or not. Family members who are not present will be missed. A few family members will cause a ruckus and will be calmed down by the family peacemaker. Another Christmas will have come and gone.

What is Christmas anyway? Is it a secular celebration, a religious one or a combination? Why have we chosen the end of December for an all-out shopping spree? Why are there so many excuses to get together with those who mean the most to us? Could it be that is what Christmas is all about?

We celebrate Christmas by getting together with family and friends. Gifts are optional. At some point we will reserve the gift giving for immediate family or only for children under a certain age.

In my world Christmas is both religious and secular. It is the mutually agreed upon date to celebrate the birth of a little baby who is the foundation of a religion called Christianity. It is also the time to touch base with family members and friends who for one reason or another we don’t see very often.

On the other side of the world, in Australia, Christmas arrives in the summer. Since the weather at that time of year is nice many people choose to go camping or to the beach. I’m guessing that most of our holiday songs, such as “Frosty the Snowman,” ”Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and all the other songs and movies that mention snow aren’t popular down there. Santa loves going to England. We, in the United States, leave cookies and milk for Santa. Children in England leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. I don’t think I have ever had mince pie but it doesn't sound appealing. Santa, aka Father Christmas, is probably ready for some brandy by the time he gets to England.

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish celebration of a miracle. It is not a Jewish Christmas just because it occurs around the same time. The lighting of the menorah, special foods, small gifts and playing with a dreidel along with telling the story behind the holidays are some of the traditions that families observe.

The winter solstice is December 21 this year. The winter solstice has the least sunlight and the longest night. For me, this time of year signifies the blue being erased from the sky so that it becomes a dreary, flat white. It is hard to believe that the days begin getting longer after the solstice.

The day after Christmas is Boxing Day in several countries. I have read stories that say it is a day to give to the poor. Other places say it is a day to give to people who aren’t family but who deserve to be remembered. Other places say it is a major shopping day like it is here.

The holiday that is new to me is Kwanzaa. It celebrates African-Americans and traditions from different parts of Africa. It lasts from December 26 through January 1. According to Wikipedia the holiday was first celebrated in 1966.

Part of my point is that there are many holidays that occur around this part of the year and you can pick and choose which ones you believe. Santa may or may not be someone you believe in and that is OK.

Santa is the symbol of altruism. He will bring presents whether or not we believe in him and expect nothing in return. The gifts he brings might not fit in a box. They might be a hug from a stranger or a smile from an infant. Gifts come in many shapes and sizes.

I am wishing for those who are sick and in the hospital to get well. I am wishing for a little more kindness and a lot less cruelty. I am wishing a Happy Christmas to all of you, and to all a Good Night.