'Tis the Season to

‘Tis the season to learn about the real meaning of Christmas. It seems that commercialisation of Christmas encourages those selfish desires in each of us that create disharmony and stress. There is so much advertising hype that makes people feel as if nothing is good enough. Advertisers continue to bombard us with messages to entice us to outdo everyone else.

Yet what is Christmas all about, really? It is supposed to be about good tidings, goodwill to all men and joy to the world. That first Christmas was about so many unselfish acts. Mary accepted the miracle of carrying the Son of God regardless of what family and friends would think of her. Today we don’t frown when we come across a single mother. We encourage and support her, realising that mistakes can be made. In the society that Mary grew up in you could be killed for being a single mum and who on earth was going to understand an immaculate conception. Joseph unselfishly put aside his feelings and desires to look after Mary and Jesus, again regardless of how weak and stupid others saw him. In Bethlehem the Inn Keeper unselfishly allowed Mary and Joseph to use the stable. It’s hard to believe that this is a remarkable act but if the Inns were arranged the way I understand them to be; with everyone sleeping on mats around the walls in the same room then his willingness to arrange some form of privacy for her indicates to me an unselfish man. The wise men travelled a great distance and gave gifts.

Goodwill and Joy are born out of the unselfishness of humans towards each other. Let’s teach our children the real meaning of Christmas so that its spirit will be felt all year round but especially at Christmas time.