Christmas has always been the most important time in the year for me. Its beautiful nature gives people food for reflection and makes them celebrate the day of Jesus Christ’s birth. It’s a great occasion to gather together in the circle of close family and friends. I adore the scent of dishes, which are prepared specially for the Christmas Eve, and I love this eager wait for the first star appearing in the dark sky, which is an unchangeable signal that the time has come to sit at the table and enjoy the magic of Christmas.

But … do we really focus on the things which are the most important? I think, that all of you have noticed that Christmas has become commercialized by the shops attracting us with Christmas special offers as early as the end of October comes. They focus our attention on the visual and materialistic aspects of this beautiful holiday. Of course, I’m not an exception and I often get swept away by the Christmas shopping spree, because I want to bring a little bit of joy to myself and my family. There’s nothing wrong about that, as long as you can draw a visible line between shopping and preparing for Christmas, and you remember about the real sense of this holiday. Getting gifts is pleasant, and even if they are not the ones we wanted to get, they make us happy because we feel loved and appreciated by our close ones. Don’t waste time, which you can devote to your family and friends, on running from one sale to another one. You can also give presents to people who are important to you without any bigger occasions. Try to take care of the warm atmosphere at home. Even if you are accompanied by everyday strife during the year, forget about it at least for a while, and focus on the goodness which surrounds you. Maybe it’s a good time to make up with your close ones and start the New Year with a clear conscience and good mood.

Sometimes you probably start thinking ‘The guests are coming for Christmas, and I’m dead tired, totally unwelcoming’! If you do house chores regularly during the whole year, you don’t have to make any revolutions at home just for Christmas. Ask your guests to bring some chosen dishes to the Christmas Eve’s dinner. Share the duties among all the feaster. You’ll be a queen, an ideal host during this special time … who with an honest smile, will take care of the guests’ well-being, instead of staying in the kitchen for long hours and grouching because the soup was too salty, again!

Don’t organize Christmas just to show off yourself. This is your time, try to feel good and make your family feel loved and well looked after. The rest isn’t as much important as you think!

According to some researchers, Christmas is the time during which the rate of suicides grows significantly … I don’t really know whether it’s true or not … but it’s good to look around, and according to our Polish tradition, host a lonely person well. Just invite such a person for a hot meal, have a conversation with him/her, pay a little bit attention to his/her life and problems … it won’t cost you a lot, but can certainly save someone’s life!

It’s not a long entry, as I know that at this particular moment you’re racing against time, trying to button everything up … my message for you during this special time can be only one …. Remember about the real sense of Christmas. It’s not important of what faith you are. It should be a very meaningful time, because Jesus Christ was born for you then, giving you hope for the upcoming future. If it doesn’t appeal to you, I’m not going to nag you at all … In this case you should focus on bringing your family and friends together. Go carolling in a good and full of hope mood. Try to make this atmosphere lasting, not only during these few days of Christmas time, which pass by so quickly. Have passion for Christmas in your heart during the whole year!

See you around!

Yours,

Passion Piece