“What is Christmas?… 
tenderness for the past, 
courage for the present, 
hope for the future.” 
Agnes M. Pahro

Past, present, and future seem to be common themes around Christmas each year, probably due to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In this timeless classic, Scrooge, a miserly old man who despises Christmas, is visited by the ghost of his deceased colleague, Jacob Marley, and three spirits — the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. In these Christmas Eve visions, Scrooge sees his lonely past, the struggles of the poor, and his own bleak, unloved future. This prompts a miraculous transformation, one which empowers him to embrace kindness, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas.

Throughout my lifetime, Christmas has become increasingly commercialized. Few, it seems, pay much attention to the fact that the celebration of Christmas centers on God’s love for us, as evidenced by the birth of Jesus. At this special time of year, we are, however, invited and encouraged to be kind to others, help the less fortunate, and value relationships over materialism. Christmas is a time to reflect on faith, selflessness, and the spirit of giving. By focusing on these things, we are better equipped to bring families together, reminding us all that even in difficult times, there is hope for humanity.

Peace and goodwill are also common themes during the Christmas season, offering us an invitation and challenge to live in harmony with others, to show compassion and kindness whenever the opportunity presents itself, and to foster unity at every level of our lives.

While this may sound like a simple task, most of us encounter situations in our lives which make such goals seem unattainable. These conditions may give some the impression that reconciliation might be interpreted as a sign of weakness. In reality, seeking a restoration of harmony in any relationship requires both humility and courage. These spiritual gifts most certainly are of greater value than anything one might purchase online or at the local mall. 

I am grateful for the gifts of Christmas — for the reminder that there is tremendous value in pausing to be thankful for the many blessings in my life; for the opportunity to reflect on what is most important in life and to focus on people over things; and for the reminder that true joy and purpose in life comes from spiritual gifts and connections, not commercialism or possessions.

Long-time CBS news journalist Eric Sevareid left us with this pearl of wisdom: “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something besides ourselves.”