What is Christmas all about?
Christmas isn’t about the presents, the tree, the snow, or even the food — though, I’ll admit, the food is pretty delicious. While many would answer that Christmas includes giving, family, and the birth of Christ, I believe that Christmas is ultimately a feeling that spreads contagiously through the world.
The true essence of Christmas is perfectly captured in a statement attributed to paleontologist William Parks. He said, “Christmas is not just a day and event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit that should permeate every part of our lives.”
At a glance, it would be wonderful to have the spirit of Christmas year-round: People radiating joy, generosity and love — focusing on our Savior and being with family. This sounds like a perfect world, but in reality, if every day were like Christmas, we may lose sight of the importance of the season.
Instead of having Christmas all year long, we can keep bits of it with us. My favorite way of doing this comes from a tradition at my house: We have a small sleigh full of Christmas books that we have collected over the years. This sleigh only makes an appearance during the holidays. But the words and lessons in these books have helped shape me into the person I am today.
If each of us holds onto a story, tradition, song, or even a small lesson, we can keep a bit of the true Christmas spirit alive year-round.
– by Joslyn Frandsen (9th) Panguitch
Feature image caption: Holiday Giving, by Brooklyn R. (11) Marysvale.
See more Christmas essays, poems and artwork in the December 2024 print issue of The Byway.