Q:I am not sure that I want to go through with Christmas again this year. Everyone from my family will be at my sister’s house for Christmas turkey, we will give too many toys to the kids and then we will watch my father fall asleep in front of the TV set. This is not making much sense to me. I would rather avoid the whole thing and sit at home and read a good book. What do you think?
A:I was immediately reminded of that famous editorial theNew York Sunran in its paper, Sept. 21, 1897, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” Whether you agree with the spirit of Christmas or not, and regardless of your spiritual orientation, you have to admit that the tradition of Christmas was born out of respect and love for others.
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Gifts, dreams and promises for a better life were brought to the manger where baby Jesus was born on a cool winter’s night. The question for you is whether the propensity of the 21st century for toys and trinkets has so overwhelmed the Christmas season that any thoughts about the sanctity of Christmas are lost to the electronics of the debit card.
The sales of toys and other goods are overwhelming during the holidays and many gifts end up shelved after Christmas.
On a positive note, suicide rates go down during the Christmas season. Something about Christmas is so powerful that even those who are locked into personal despair can see a sliver of hope.
Our disparate families, scattered throughout the world, do their best to reconcile during the season. All of our public transit systems are crammed with people trying to make it home to share a Christmas turkey. Could it be that all of those people who are travelling are searching for more than a wonderful meal or present?
When you begin to appreciate whatever gatherings and reunions you see almost everywhere, you will find a spark of beauty even in your father snoring in front of the television set. You find what you are looking for and, yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@producer.com.
