Many people have a fantasy of what a perfect holiday should be. For some, it is a houseful of family and close friends, a tree crowded with ornaments, a feast that goes on for hours, a gentle dusting of snow outside. For others, it may be any place but home.

Then there are the rituals. In Britain, Boxing Day, on December 26, is as important as Christmas Day. In Italian families, Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally an all-fish affair that can go on until close to the stroke of midnight.

When midnight comes, millions around the world are in their church, cathedral or chapel of choice, counting their blessings and remembering Christmas for the reason that gave it its name: the birth of the Christ child. The truly generous-spirited may spend all or part of Christmas Day serving meals to the less fortunate.

Not everyone, though, looks forward to the holidays. Some people dread them on principle: too commercial, too much bother, bad memories. Indeed, they are a hardship for many, a time when they feel most alone. If the thought of Christmas does not make your heart dance, you are not alone.

For me, Christmas is still a joyful occasion. The pleasures are infinitely heightened by the presence of family and friends. There are concerts and services, festive parties, shopping and perhaps a trip or two (gifts in hand) to see loved ones. It is not a day; it is a season- and the longer the better, as far as I am concerned.

When it comes to Christmas, attitude is everything. Spend Christmas where in spirit and truth you are in the presence of a child, the Christ Child, knowing within you a new birth of good will, joy and peace. Faith liberates us from all meaninglessness.

When the Jesus born in Bethlehem and crucified on Calvary first stood up in the synagogue to begin his work on earth, what were his first words? "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people."

This is the meaning of Christmas: that God sent His only begotten Son to be born on Christmas Day in Bethlehem and to die on Good Friday on a cross on Calvary because he loves us. Not "us" in the abstract; not mere "humanity." God so loves you, you the individual person, that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus, to be born on Christmas Day in Bethlehem and to die on Good Friday on a cross on Calvary. And he would have done that had you been the only person in the world!

This is the meaning of Christmas.

The Heart of Christmas

May you have the
gladness of Christmas
which is hope;
the spirit of Christmas
which is peace;
the heart of Christmas
which is love.

- Ada V. Hendricks

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