How can I get into the Christmas spirit?

Question

I'm having a really hard time getting excited about Christmas anymore. I used to love selecting gifts for people and watching to see their reaction when they opened it. But now, many of the gifts I buy seem more obligatory than anything else.

Another problem is that last year just before Christmas a close relative died, and now another close relative just died over the weekend. So I'm feeling more melancholy than anything else.

If it wasn't for my young daughter, I don't know if I'd enjoy Christmas at all. But I do enjoy buying her gifts and playing Santa.

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me snap out of it? I don't like feeling like I'm just going through the motions.

Answer 1

The Christmas Spirit

I enter the home of poverty,
causing pale-faced children to open their
eyes wide in pleased wonder.

I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax,
and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.

I cause the aged to renew their youth
and to laugh in the glad old way.

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood,
and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways
with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts
amazed at the goodness of the world.

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild,
wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token
that releases glad tears -
tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells,
reminding scarred manhood of what might have been,
and pointing forward to good days yet to come.

I come softly into the still, white home of pain,
and lips that are too weak to speak
just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways
I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God
and for a little moment
forget the things that are small and wretched.

I am the Christmas Spirit!

Exploring the True Meaning of Christmas


Has commercialism destroyed the true meaning and spirit of Christmas?

TheCelebrityCafe.com recently held a poll asking about your thoughts on the commerciality and true meaning of Christmas. The question was straightforward, as were the results. There were 347 votes, and more than half (200 to be exact) thought that Christmas had become too commercial and lost its true meaning. One-hundred thirty-two voters thought the holiday has become too commercial, but has not lost its true meaning. Twenty-six voters said "No" on both accounts and 16 voters weren't sure.

Well, since this poll didn't delve into the reasons why people felt the way they did, I thought I'd ask an expert on the subject to elaborate. No, I didn't phone Santa in the North Pole, I asked my brother-in-law, Allen. How is he an expert, you ask? He's the guy who owns two Santa suits (one old and one new) and starts listening to Christmas carols in August. When we decorate the tree, he hangs Christmas balls off his ears in between sips of eggnog. He reads "The Night before Christmas" to my daughter on Christmas Eve. He believes that Christmas presents MUST be a surprise, (put away those gift suggestion lists) or gift-giving isn't nearly as fun and meaningful. He signs his gift tags as Santa. He knows every line in the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" TV special, which must be watched (in addition to "Frosty the Snowman") each year. He decorates every nook of the house. He's so full of holiday spirit that it's downright....well, contagious.

Here's what "Mr. Christmas" had to say in response to the question, "Do you think Christmas has become too commercial and lost its true meaning?"

"Like Charlie Brown who was fed up with the commercialism of Christmas (Good grief!) you need to find your personal meaning amongst the craziness of the holiday. First and foremost, Christmas is the joyous celebration of the birth of Christ. To others, it's more about family, friends and tradition. For many, it's about helping those who are spiritually or financially less fortunate. It could be a memory of Christmas past or maybe the smile on your child's face on Christmas morning. You need to find your own Charlie Brown tree. The secret is to use just enough of the big bad commercialism to enhance your spirit. I suspect many (voters) will say the true meaning of Christmas has been lost, but whether you believe in Christ or not, the meaning is the same. It's the spirit of love, giving and hope for the coming year, and these things will never be lost."

I thought his answer made a lot of sense. We give gifts, material or otherwise, to show our love, and love is what the season is all about no matter what your beliefs. It all depends one's attitude and approach to the holiday itself and the madness and commercialism that surrounds it. So try to see past the commercialism and view the snow globe as half full rather than half empty. Try to keep the spirit of Christmas alive by doing something kind for a lonely neighbor, like baking him some cookies. Let the other guy have that parking spot at the mall, even if you were there first. Give a weary cashier a little smile and a thank you as you leave the crowded store. Take more time off and spend it carrying on family traditions. Guaranteed the annoying commercialism that accompanies the holiday will no longer overshadow its true meaning.

May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.
The Meaning of Christmas



Jesus "Christ" is known as the founder or central figure of "Christianity." Christmas is a Christian holiday on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus. Ancient Romans also commemorated Jesus' birth by marking a division of the calendar still in use today. The years before Jesus' birth are marked as B.C. (Before Christ), and the years after Jesus' birth are marked A.D. (Anno Domini, which means, in the year of our Lord).

Christmas literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ. "Christ" is a Greek word and title, meaning "anointed" or one set apart by God for a special purpose. "Christ" is equivalent to the Hebrew word "Messiah." Based on the words of ancient prophets, the first century Jewish people expected the arrival of the Messiah promised by God as a great deliver of the people.

Read the Christmas story from an ancient biographer, Luke (Chapter 2).

Luke's biography records how Mary and her husband Joseph left their home in Nazareth to travel to Joseph's ancestral home, Bethlehem, to enroll in the census ordered by the Roman emperor, Augustus. Finding no room in inns in the town, they set up primitive lodgings in a stable. There Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger or stall. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the home of the house of King David from which Joseph was descended, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. This is confirmed to Mary by a visit from angels and shepherds.

Read the Christmas story from an ancient biographer, Matthew (Chapter 1).

Matthew's biography begins by recounting the genealogy and virgin birth of Jesus, and then moves to the coming of the Wise Men from the Orient (likely China) to where Jesus was staying after his birth in Bethlehem. The wise men, or Magi, first arrived in Jerusalem and reported to the king of Judea, Herod the Great, that they had seen a star heralding the birth of a king. Further inquiry led them to Bethlehem of Judea and the location of Mary and Joseph. They presented Jesus with treasures of "gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

In Jesus' adult years, Jesus claimed to be this King, the Jewish Messiah (see: I am the King and Jewish Messiah). Ultimately, Jesus' claim to be Christ caused controversy and the religious trial leading to his execution. Christians commemorate Jesus' execution and believed return from the dead (resurrection) during "Easter."

Jesus also described His birth on earth as the most important "Good News," signifying that God Himself chose to come from heaven to earth to help make earth more like heaven (see: Good News: the Kingdom of God has Come to Earth).

Many people throughout the world have been prompted to ask questions about the life, death, and message of Jesus. Here's some of what you can investigate further at Jesus Institute, an educational resource about the person of Jesus:

Answer 2

My sister's 17 year old daughter was killed in a car accident just a little less than 2 years ago. My family is very close and it devastated all of us. Someone is missing - and it hurts.

Last year was very difficult - it was the first Christmas without her with us.

It was very hard to have that Christmas spirit - it just wasn't there. We went through the motions - but it was not the same. This year is a little better - but I still have blah feelings at times concerning the holidays. What I do know is that I Cherish the time I spend with my family much more than before - so it is better to dwell on this. It does seem a little better this year - and I expect that with each passing year it may get better. The only healer is time.

Although, a good thing to remember about Christmas is that this is the celebration of Christ's birth. Remember that God sent his son - to die for us so that we may live. When I think that God gave his son willingly for our salvation - I am overwhelmed - because of the pain we all have felt at the loss of my niece. When you put it in perspective - it does help some.

I will be thinking of you!:)

Answer 3

Look at how your daughter enjoys Christmas, and follow her lead. Remember back to when you were young and how much Christmas meant to you then!

(Not forgetting the religious side of it, if you're a religious person!)

Instead of feeling melancholy about your relatives who are no longer here (and I'm sorry to hear about that) why not celebrate their lives? If your daughter knew or remembers them, make a collage book with photos and stories about them with her remembering all the happy times. Celebrate the fact that they were in your life! If your daughter isn't old enough to remember them, why not do that anyway and tell her the funny stories or things they did, their quirks etc. It can be theraputic.

Don't feel like you have to "snap out of it" either. You're allowed to grieve, whether or not it's Christmas. So hah bumhug to those who expect you to be full of the Christmas spirit.

I hope you have a happy safe Christmas :)

Answer 4

I am so sorry about your loss. It sure can make things difficult when you are going through these things. Try to get into the holiday anyways cause this is something I am sure the ones who passed on would want for you.

Get some Christmas music. Something fun to listen to. Go to the store and get some Christmas hobbies such as making a new stocking for you daughter or making ornaments together. Get to baking some things. Praying that your holiday turns into a wonderful one.

Here is something I found. Hope it brings a smile:

Christmas Cookie Recipe
In case you need to make Christmas Cookies:
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila
Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.
At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup. Just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the frigging fruit off floor... Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.
CHERRY MISTMAS

Answer 5

There are times when I've felt down and depressed in my life,too. What I do is try to find someone who is worse off than me and try to cheer that peorson up as best I can. For Christmas, i make the gifts instead of purchasing them. That way the receiver knows the gift came from the heart - even if it is a jar of home made jam. My friends and family say they really like the home made gifts the best because they come from the heart.

Answer 6

Sometimes it just takes time. My son died Dec 20th and it took a very long time to enjoy Christmas again. 18 years later it is still bittersweet. Now I have a beautiful 4 yr old girl and we don't have much, but we have eachother and it makes this the best Christmas ever, so far.

Answer 7

Play some christmas music. Write your christmas cards. spend time with your daughter talking about the upcoming holiday. Go shopping for your daughter. It is hard when a loved one dies. I wish you the best!

Answer 8

This was the first year in a long time that I DID have the spirit...now I have lost it. I want to rip down the lights and all the stuff I made. I hate the holidays...baaa hummbug!

Answer 9

Turn on christmas music, make coco, and put something red on even red lipstick, make a list of all your blessings, lit a christmas candle that smells great, u can do it if not for yourself than your daughter. Merry christmas

Answer 10

Just being with people, having a big big feast, with xmas decorations, and christmas music playing. Egg nog n stuff like that. that usually helps. what is xmas all about? family? food, giving, love, combine all that, n u got a recipe for xmas.

Answer 11

you must find it inside your heart your meaning and happiness of the holiday.

it seems you have that... if you enjoy playing santa and doing it for your child.. then i don't see what the problem is that you've lost the spirit.

spirit is where you find it.. how you do it... what makes it special for you.. your purpose.