My new Christmas list

IT starts right after Thanksgiving, if not right after Halloween. Look around. If you haven't noticed, the Christmas season is upon us, and so is everything--positive and negative--that the holiday has become.

There's no escaping the commercialism of the holiday, or the stress that comes with futile attempts to meet personal, financial and family expectations. Between your lady's early-bird shopping spree, your buddy's late-night party and unexpected midday drop-ins by family members and neighbors, it's easy for a Brother to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

The hustle and bustle of Christmas runs most of us ragged. Reports show that men are likely to gain weight, lose sleep and become depressed during the holiday season. As if that's not enough, our finances are usually thrown into a tailspin.

If you're like me, your to-do list gets longer and longer every Christmas season. Gifts to buy, people to see, kids to please, fires to put out. When it's all over, you're left wondering what hit you, and how you managed to put yourself in its path again this year.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of getting run over by Santa's sleigh. I have enough hoof prints on my backside to last a lifetime. For some reason, I don't think Jesus came into the world so that I could max out my credit cards every year leading up to His birthday.

This Christmas is going to be different. I want to get back to the true meaning of the holiday. For starters--to all of my distant family, friends and associates--if you don't get a gift from me this year, I didn't forget about you. I'm just not getting you anything this year. Don't worry. I still think you're the greatest (fill in the blank) a Brother could have. But just assume that this year, either I ran out of time, ran out of money, or both. I still love you all. I'm just not stressing over your gift this year.

For me, having a memorable Christmas means cutting through the clutter and distractions that smother the holiday. It means replacing a spend, spend, spend mentality with one that appreciates the subtleties of the season, and realizes that, when it comes to Christmas, giving expensive gifts that you can't afford is much less important than giving yourself and others the time and patience to enjoy the holiday.

Here are 10 things that will top my "new" to-do list this Christmas, and should top yours.

1. Teach 5 children the true meaning of Christmas.

2. Teach 5 adults the true meaning of Christmas.

3. Volunteer some time to help the less fortunate.

4. Hang some mistletoe. Don't underestimate its magic.

5. Take a slow drive around your neighborhood. Take in the Christmas lights and decorations.

6. Decorate your house for the holidays. Make time to listen to your favorite Christmas CD.

7. Capture the Christmas season with your video camera.

8. Emphasize tradition and togetherness. Whether or not your family is particularly religious, you can create many beautiful and spiritual Christmas traditions together, and give your children lots of happy memories of the holiday season.

9. Wish people who you meet a happy holiday, and send Christmas cards to family and friends. Not the kind that come in the pack of 10, but specific ones that you picked out especially for that individual. Take the time to write a short, personal note for each individual card.

10. Attend a church service. Take in a good sermon about the true meaning of the holiday.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group