The phrase “Christmas spirit” is heard a lot during this time of the year.
The question is, what is the Christmas spirit? For Scrooge, it was a ghost. To the liquor industry, the Christmas spirit comes in a bottle, of which millions of rands worth is sold during the festive season. Some people need a lot of the contents of bottles or cans to get into (and stay in) a “festive mood”. Or to forget. And for some, the sight of the bottle takes the Christmas spirit away for fear of the consequences of others who are overindulging.
For retailers, the Christmas spirit may be found in the jingle of tills and increased sales, for some, it is in getting the family together and the truce in forgetting the issues and quarrels for a while.
For some, it is the hundreds of thousands of cards sent by mail – many by businesses to clients they do not even know the faces of.
For many a mother or father, Christmas time may be a time of sadness because they do not have money to buy their children or loved ones a gift or to provide a special meal for Christmas. The wistful looks in the eyes of their children are too much to endure.
For others, the loss of a loved one is highlighted by the festive atmosphere and the family visiting, however welcome the distraction may be. The empty place is just felt more intensely. For many, the heartache lies in family not visiting, and spending Christmas all alone.
For others, the consequences of overspending and maxing out their credit cards cause an acid taste in the mouth during the festive season. Keeping up with the Jones’ is no fun, and not funny when the outcomes of the overdraft become apparent and January with school expenses is waiting. The early payment of salaries in December makes for a very, very long month for some.
Shops are stacked to the roof with Christmas presents and decorations. Christmas carols are played over and over and decorations bring glitter and glam everywhere. Children may love or hate or fear the many Father Christmas’ to be found in shops and shopping centres, but love the lights and shimmering tinsel.
Maybe, just maybe, the answer about what brings about real peace and love and a feeling of being blessed could be found in a Book, written many years ago. One can read the story of a Baby born a long, long time ago in a stable. A simple story about simple people.
But also the story of a King, a Saviour coming to earth for His people.
