As my husband and I prepare to spend our first Christmas in Alberta this year, I can't help but stop and ponder the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate the holiday.
As my husband and I prepare to spend our first Christmas in Alberta this year, I can't help but stop and ponder the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate the holiday.
I think you'll all agree that Christmas has always been about the children - the smile on their faces, their sense of awe and wonder in the magic of Christmas and their expressions of joy and excitement on Christmas Day.
But too often these days I find that adults and parents alike are caught up in the commercial side of Christmas and put too much focus on presents, toys and making sure they have an abundance of gifts for their children under the Christmas tree.
I suppose you can't really blame them, seeing how materialistic and commercialized our society has become in recent years. But I think it's just as important for people to share the spirit of Christmas with their children and families because Christmas is more than just giving and receiving presents, eating lots of food and being merry.
It's also a time to demonstrate love, peace and joy that are associated with Christmastime.
That reminds me of a couple of Christmases I spent in Europe several years ago. Not only was it my first time spending Christmas overseas, it was also the first time I spent Christmas away from loved ones and family.
However, in doing so, I was able to experience the true meaning of Christmas in a different country. I never could have imagined how much love, kindness and generosity my friends and acquaintances in Europe, including those from around the world, would show me during the holidays and at Christmastime.
I was certainly not alone those Christmases and enjoyed great company, friendship, and a sense of family while I lived in Europe.
I will never forget what several friends, acquaintances and I decided to do just a few days prior to Christmas one year.
For several months we had volunteered our time once a week on Sundays to help at a nearby refugee camp outside of Prague in the Czech Republic. We would visit with the adult refugees and play games with the children. There were refugees from all over the world and many of them had never experienced Christmas or even snow.
One day we decided to gather volunteers, food and gifts for both the children and adults and give them a Christmas to remember.
It was an incredible experience to hand out small gifts and see the joy on children's faces and the smiles on their parents too, as many unwrapped their first Christmas present. Hundreds of refugee families and dozens of volunteers came together that day and sang Christmas carols, enjoyed a meal together, and shared stories and companionship.
The Christmas we spent with refugee families helped me realize a different way of giving at Christmas. It's not always about things or materialistic items.
It's giving your time, love, and friendship to those in need that brings the true meaning of Christmas.
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