For Christians, Christmas is often the happiest time of the year – particularly, for children.  With “visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads,” children eagerly await the day and Santa’s visit.  The experience of the sheer joy and love of those seasons past lives with many of us our entire lives, regardless the current destination of our life’s journey.  In youth, with little responsibility, we can’t truly appreciate the enormity of the task, albeit a pleasant one, of making the Christmas season so special.

As we grow into adulthood, we come to understand the debt of gratitude that those of us who have enjoyed Christmases past in blissful ignorance owe to our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and friends who have made those celebrations so special.  We also come to understand that our debts are not limited to those who have created our happy Christmas memories, but are very real.  They come in forms of illnesses, losses of loved ones, financial obligations, and other of life’s burdens than can dampen the holiday spirits of even those who have most exuded the joy of Christmas in seasons gone by.

If you find yourself less than merry this Christmas season, consider this.  Imagine that this is your last Christmas in this life.  What would you do this holiday season?  How would you celebrate?  With whom would you spend the season?  Then, do it.

And so, as I prepare to spend perhaps my last Christmas on earth and you yours, let us fill our stockings and hearts with an overabundance of joy, an excess of love, a warm heart, a well of compassion, a dose of patience, and the outstretched arms of tolerance – all the shining gifts given us by our Savior that make for Peace of Earth, Goodwill to All.