I’m not what anyone would call a “Christmas Person.” In high school friends would hum the “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” song when I walked by them in the hall. I’ve been called Scrooge, Grinchy, and most recently Ebby by friends who seem amused by the fact that I just don’t get in to the Christmas Spirit. I’ve been asked by more religious friends if I dislike the holiday because of the religion associated with it. My disdain for Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus or God or organized religion, which they may or may not believe. Thankfully I also don’t fall into the trap of having to prove myself to anyone either.
I dislike Christmas, and pretty much always have, because it’s a commercialized bunch of malarky. I’ve said since I was in high school that I don’t care what you get me… if you don’t get me anything that’s just fine. Nobody ever believes me. I like to get presents, sure, but if you would trade in my present for just treating someone with kindness that’d be enough for me. Everyone, including myself, is so caught up with material things and money and all that nonsense. There’s enough good will to fill a thimble, and I think that’s being generous. I dislike the false pretenses, the obligation to act cheery if you’re not… it’s just not my holiday.
Occasionally, though, something reminds me that all is not lost. Right now I’m sitting in my office looking at 22 huge bags of Christmas gifts, as well as two brand new bikes that were brought to me by a local church. The members of this church have an angel tree every year, and this year they helped 8 of the families at my school. On top of that, one of the 5th grade classrooms here had an angel tree and the students brought gifts for another family that was in need. As I look at these things I am reminded that this is what it’s supposed to be about. It is not about the presents, although they do make people happy. It is about people giving of themselves selflessly just to bring joy to another person’s life. These people that gave are complete strangers to the families they got gifts for, but that didn’t matter to them. And that’s a beautiful thing.
Sometimes you have to look for the good in the world. Sometimes it shows up at your office carrying 22 bags full of presents.
