As people rush from one shop to another to buy their final gifts for their loved ones, it would be good to remember that Christmas is not only a time for presents, but a time for reflection.
Christmas brings us closer to the people who we love the most, and who we often do not spend too much time with during the rest of the year. Brothers and sisters meet under one roof to share a turkey and roast potatoes, while parents enjoy the presence of their children and grandchildren in their home.
The Christmas trees flicker as enthusiastic kids tear the wrapping paper frantically to see what Santa Claus brought them, while the more serious adults share a drink and exchange gifts, often in the form of money vouchers because, these days, it is so hard to find the time for Christmas shopping and, anyway, some prefer not to take the risk of giving a present which is not liked.
Most of us have decorated our homes with cribs and statues of Baby Jesus, and look forward to Midnight Mass followed up by an early breakfast. Some have already been to the traditional pantomime while others have bought tickets for the performances that will take place after Christmas.
This is all part of the outside celebrations of Christmas. But we seem to have forgotten that there is a meaning behind these celebrations. We do not decorate our houses in August, but we do so in December to prepare for the birth of Jesus.
Yet, somehow, this does not take centre stage. It is as if we are using the birth of Jesus as another occasion to make merry, while at the same time not giving Him the warm welcome that we should.
Christmas is a time of renewal. It comes to remind us of what we have done during the past year, and gives us the opportunity to reflect on matters that we could have done better.
We must also remember that there are people who cannot, for one reason or another, celebrate Christmas in the same way that we do. The number of broken families unfortunately continues to rise year after year, and it must be hard for parents to be away from their children at a time like this. There are others who lost a father, mother, son or daughter during the course of this year, and will be missing their loved one at the family reunion. Others might be spending Christmas away because they are abroad on work or study duties, while let us also not forget the large number of people who will be working in restaurants, police stations and other places, even on Christmas Day.
Christmas is celebrated in many different ways abroad. But, even here, there will be people whose Christmas will not be the same as it was last year. The people of the Abruzzo region in Italy quickly come to mind – many have lost their homes in the earthquake that took place earlier this year.
The significance of Christmas would be lost if we just concentrate on the commercialism that it brings with it. Christmas can only bring about change if we manage to look within ourselves, find the real meaning behind this important day and make a promise to be better men and women in the years to come.