I envy people with faith when this time of year comes around.
I’ve never been a religious sort of person – although I do consider myself spiritual. However, I was raised in a Roman Catholic family, so I am fully acquainted with and appreciate the significance of Christmas.
If you are a believer, it’s hard to find a more important day than the storied birth of your Messiah. Sure, Easter is a big one, what with the whole raising-from-the-dead thing, but Christmas always seemed so much more magical, special… and joyous, somehow. Our family didn’t attend church all that often when I was young, but we always went to midnight mass on Dec. 24, and I remember the sense of warmth, community and hope that filled the building. It wasn’t the usual serious and somber Sunday sermon… this was all about stars, wise men, angels and joy. You could see it in everyone’s eyes, filled to the brim with charitable good feelings and hope for a more peaceful, better world.
It’s really not that hard to believe in miracles at this time of year, either.
Just think about that first Christmas Day during World War 1, when – after hearing German forces singing Silent Night from their trenches on the other side of a bloody battlefield – Allied soldiers emerged from their own positions and a truce was declared, presents were exchanged and – if only for one special day – the horrors of war were forgotten.
If that’s not proof of the sheer magic and miraculous power of Christmas, then I don’t know what is. Is there another time of year that could inspire bitter enemies to embrace those who had days before been killing their brothers, put aside their differences and celebrate humanity? No, of course not.
Even to someone like me – not religious, but not exactly an atheist either – the Christmas season has the monopoly on enchantment and wonder. I love the glowing lights, the tinsel, decorated trees and all the regalia (which, we all know has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus and more to do with Pagan celebrations – just sayin’). I love watching Christmas specials with the kids, especially A Charlie Brown Christmas, whose soundtrack of jazzy Christmas cheer by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is the only acceptable Christmas music in my house. I love Santa Claus, mistletoe, overindulging in turkey and spoiling family and friends with presents that express how I feel about them.
Christmas, at its very core, is about unconditional love and brotherhood. Okay, yes it’s also about eating pumpkin pie and whipped cream until you’re sick, and getting new toys, but you know what I’m talking about. You’ve probably experienced your own Christmas magic… seen feuds ended over eggnog, witnessed forgiveness, tears of joy and the outpouring of humanity and charity that occurs en masse during Christmas.
Imagine the kind of world we would live in if everyone could just hold onto those charitable feelings and goodwill throughout the rest of the year?
So, I celebrate Christmas, not because of any personal religious feelings, but because of my warm, childhood memories, and because it seems to inspire the best in people… but I do still envy those who get to add something holy and sacred to the love and generosity of the season.
But that’s okay, because while I’m not a man of faith... I’ll always remain a firm believer in Christmas.
