We are already just a few days away from Christmas and the mood is everywhere.

I remember when I was a child; I used to wait for the Christmas season all year long. The years seemed to me eternal waiting to decorate the Christmas tree, the house, and buy gifts for my loved ones. – Which by the way, most of the time were insignificant trinkets for which I had to count to the coins.

I remember that tree. It was enormously tall for me, at that time. It must have been just over a meter and a half tall (about 4 ft.), which for me, seemed like 5 meters tall since I was a short young boy. – Well, I didn’t grow much more since. Let’s say I was shorter.

At that time, there were no plastic trees like today, and natural trees were not an option in Argentina. I don’t know why but we only used artificial trees, and they still do. In a way, it’s a lot better this way for the ecological cause. This one was the type that you fold to put it away and the branches were lined with feathers dyed green.

Every year when we took it out of storage, it looked rickety, bare, and sad. Only after we dressed it up with crystal balls, artificial snow, and the ornaments and garlands made by me and my sisters. And finally, after putting on the little colored lights, it started to come alive. And for me, it was the cutest little tree in the whole world.

The crystal balls were simple and without much sophistication, their beauty was in the different sizes and brightness of their colors, and the multiplied sparkles reflecting the little lights.

Artificial snow was like cotton that we put on the branches and had to put aside a little of it for the Nativity. That snow always made me dream of a cold Christmas and full of snow because the Christmas I was used to was in the heat of summer. Remember that by then I lived in the southern hemisphere, in Argentina.

Actually, the heat of the holidays did not change much to say, although I now live in the northern hemisphere. In Miami, although the heat is not as excessive as in Cordoba, the Holiday Season is still warm. Only once, in all these years living in the United States, I had a very cold Christmas on one occasion while visiting New York. It was snowy and whole nine yards!

But one of the things I remember most having enjoyed was the days before decorating the tree when preparing the ornaments and garlands. They were homemade! There was no money to buy new ornaments every year, so my sisters and I sat down to create.

The three younger of six children, the six from mom and dad. Three older boys, then the two girls came, and finally by chance, me. Then other siblings came from my father’s side, but they were not yet in my life. I will refer to them later, in another story.

The ones making the most ornaments were the younger sister and me. The oldest of the girls didn’t seem to be much entertained at this, and usually left us very quickly.

The ornaments that I remember most are the Chinese lanterns made with toilet paper cores, lined in gold paper. When we had money, we’d buy metallic gloss paper; otherwise, we used chocolate wrappings we collected for days for that occasion. We also wrapped small tiny boxes, as if they were gifts and hung them on the branches.

We made the garlands practically with the remaining cuts of paper, of any paper. We’d cut paper strips and then glued the two ends making a chain link. The next link we’d hooked it up with the last one, thus forming a chain of paper links. Long, very long and then we’d hung it from the top of the tree going all around the tree adorning each branch with paper garlands.

Afterward, we put together the Nativity. The Nativity had old plaster dolls with its paint peeling off. While they were losing the brightness of the new, they never lost the beauty of the divine birth.

Then we’d hung the lights … or did the lights go first? I don’t remember well, but once it was ready, I could not wait for the evening hours so I could be able to light the tree lights and stay in ecstasy looking at it for eternal times, full of emotion and … who knows what else could go through the mind of a child of 7, 9 or 11 years of age.

Over time, everything changes.

Now the years fly by! Between one thing and another, when one finally decides what to do with the year ahead and starts rewriting for who knows how many times the year’s goals, July is already here and half the year has passed.

When one realizes, November is already here and Thanksgiving comes and right away we’re celebrating Christmas again with New Year’s Eve just around the corner.

The Holiday Season is no longer the same as it used to be for those of us who have lost loved ones. Memories lived with them, their faces, their names, all gather in memory. Some of them give us joy, others, sorrow.

It is no longer the same for those who go through their own illness or that of a loved one, nor is it the same for those who are far away or deprived of freedom.

There’s a bit of everything under the sun.

Some people, wanting to impress others, do not finish paying the debts acquired the previous Christmas when they have to borrow more in gifts and ephemeral appearances just to show off at the upcoming holiday season.

Others, to fill the void of their lives, fill the season with noises, parties and stunning entertainment, alcohol, and drugs to distract the mind and spirit from what really matters.

To a greater or lesser degree, all of us at some point in our lives fall into that of “distracting ourselves” and forgetting the true message of Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m against parties or family and friends gatherings. What I disagree with is the importance given to all these things, forgetting the main reason for this celebration. Don’t let commercials and television ads dictate and define the meaning of Christmas.

Even many people that I know do not know what is celebrated.  Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. And although it is not known with certainty the exact date of His birth, for us Christians, it’s when we celebrate the birth of our redeemer.

(I want to remind you that when I speak of a Christian, I am not referring to a specific religion as understood here in the United States. Christian is everyone who accepts Christ as their only savior and tries to follow in His footsteps.)

I know that many might say; “Fine, but I’m not a Christian” and I respect that. Still, that’s the meaning of this celebration. And it’s all about humility, love, and charity. That is why, I prefer a smaller gathering with friends and relatives where love and spiritual joy abound, instead of a big noisy and shallow party.

Let’s not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. The same Jesus who left everything to give himself for us.

May love, charity, and humility abound at this Christmas! Love, Charity, and Humility, three things we can start spreading around us. Three things we can start giving to those we have close to us.

This Christmas time, I wish that where there is rancor, there be forgiveness. Where there is selfishness, there be charity. Where there is hate or indifference, there be love. And if you still don’t know Jesus you can meet him soon.

Merry Christmas and My Best Wishes for the Year shortly to begin!

What memories do you have of your childhood Christmas? What does Christmas mean to you? Do you want to comment something? Use the space below to write, I will love to read what you think.

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Thank you

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