By Jamie Rieger
It's that time of the year again. Time for baking, shopping, wrapping, socializing, singing and rejoicing. This festive time of the year brings together family and friends for a time of religious celebration and for many people, the Christmas season is the most joyous time of the year.
For others, though, Christmas can be the most stressful and sad time of the year. There is pressure to buy, buy, buy presents, food, and goodies. For some families, there is no money for purchasing anything other than the bare necessities. They wish they could do more, do as they see their neighbours are doing, but financial restraints limit how much they can give in the season of Giving. They are also proud, humble people who wouldn't dream of asking for a helping hand. They would probably even feel uncomfortable accepting anything from others. But, these people have love and that is what they offer their family...every day. They may not be overeating on nuts, sweets and an expansive turkey dinner or a Christmas tree with a load of presents brilliantly lying underneath it. Some don't even have a home to put that tree and presents in, but they have each other and will share their time over the Holidays spending time with each other. Isn't that what it's all supposed to be about anyway?
Others have health issues that keeps them parted from loved ones over the Holiday season. And still others, have no family or are too far away from their family to spend Christmas with them. The Christmas season lacks a bit of something when you are parted from your loved ones.
For those who can enjoy the festivities with large meals, lots of presents, and the togetherness of family and friends, it is important to remember just how fortunate we truly are to have all these things, aware that other people's Christmas is not going to be quite as bright.
I, for one, am fortunate enough to have good family not too far away, have good health, and am able to spend time with my loved ones. For those things, I am truly grateful. But it is not presents or turkey dinner that I am eagerly awaiting. My beautiful, pregnant daughter is due to deliver her first baby on Jan. 1, but all indications are showing that she will bring her bundle of joy into the world before then.
For me, this Holiday season is all about welcoming the new baby and showing her the love that will embrace her forever. No neatly wrapped gift or slice of turkey doused with gravy can compare to that. There will be no greater gift than the arrival of that blessed child.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!