A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

What does Christmas mean to us?

December 19, 2015

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Linette Sandrouni

Christmas is a time of joy! It is the joy of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. When this time of year comes, people can't help but feel joy and love! 

I live in a country in which this holiday barely gets any of the attention it does in other places. Very ironic considering the fact that I live in the country in which Jesus was born. So in order to get into the season, I decorate my house for Christmas and I like being in the presence of people or in places that have the Christmas spirit in them.

This year, I decided that in order to get into the mood of the season, I would like to read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at last! So I grabbed a copy of it from my University Library and started reading...And i must say that it really did get me into the season :)

I am writing this blog because people sometimes tend to forget about the meaning of Christmas, as they get swept away with all the festivities everywhere, so it ends up being a time when all people do is gather around, eat and drink and do nothing more. So, as a small reminder of the things that i believe should be kept going on during this jolly season, here are some of my thoughts on the matter...

The first and most important thing to do during this season is to attend masses during advent. Not that it isn't important to do so all through the year, but in case it is forgotten, it is always nice to attend church during the 4 weeks of advent, in order to keep the spirits up, and to make the coming of the Holiday itself a much more awaited one, with enthusiasm and cheer.

I believe that the second most important thing is to think of others, less privileged than us. This is a season of giving and sharing. And these acts, as simple as they may be, can bring utter happiness to other people, especially to kids. Let us not forget that this Holiday is first and foremost for children as the new born Jesus himself received wonderful gifts on this day!

I quote Scrooge's nephew here: "I have always thought of Christmas-time, when it has come round [...] as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as  if they were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys"

Really, let us all give up our pride and egotism and for once look at other people as we would like them to see us. Let us not think that we are superior to others; we were all born of the same God and will all eventually die the same death. So I call unto all, to let go of that self-centered attitude that we all have and for once look at one another through the eyes of love.

I wish a Merry Christmas to all, peace on earth and goodwill to all men!