Carrying the Spirit with Us Throughout the Year

NOTE:  Although this entry talks about the Christian celebration of Christmas, I believe that the sentiment expressed herein speaks to universal truths that transcend individual religions.  If you disagree after reading it,  please feel free to share your views respectfully in the comments section that follows.

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Christmas Comes But Once a Year

Charles Green (1840 - 1898)

http://www.allposters.co.uk....

No Copyright Infringement Intended

"At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."
~Thomas Tusser (1524 - May 3, 1580)
~A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry (1557)
~The Farmer's Daily Diet

So goes a popular saying that has since morphed into "Christmas comes but once a year, and when it does, it brings good cheer."

As you can imagine, I respectfully disagree with Mister Tusser, arguing that, while December 25th is but one day on the calendar, the spirit of Christmas is something that we must have with us throughout the entire year.  For some, that  idea manifests itself through professions of faith., and for others, it is through a remarkable sense of joy and kindness.  There are those among us, however, who express relief that "Christmas is finally over," and that disturbs me to some degree.  I am not advocating that everyone run out and attend a church service daily, nor am I suggesting that everyone must be a Christian to possess these values.  Perhaps "Christmas spirit" is finally too specific and too poorly defined at the same time.  My point is that, whatever time of year brings joy to you - and for whatever reason - I hope we can come to a point where we stop focusing on individual days and instead start to show our faith, love of family, friendship, patriotism, et cetera every day.

I fear that someone will misunderstand me and believe that my goal is to have red, white and blue evergreen trees with pumpkins and baskets of chocolate eggs underneath.  Nothing could be less accurate.  What I mean instead is something much more relevant.  For example, please consider donating to an organization or volunteering somewhere in April or August (or any other month), not just in December.  Perhaps it is feasible to get together with family more often - don't just think about it, do it!  If you exchange gifts in December, that greater connection will make the shopping easier and the end result more meaningful.  Maybe, as one of my friends wrote yesterday, the future holds a greater focus on presence instead of presents.  Whatever the case, whatever your religious beliefs or lack thereof, I wish year-round happiness for you and your loved ones.

The Weavers are some of my favorite musicians/ singers.  They were a folk music group formed in 1948, consisting initially of  (clockwise, starting at the bottom left) Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays, and Fred Hellerman.  In their version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, they sing "Pace!  Shanti!  Salud!  Shalom!  The words mean the same, whatever your home.  Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?"

I just know in my own life that there is Christmas in July, Christmas in October, Christmas under the Sea, even Christmas on December 25th, but little in the way of Christmas in January, for example.

My good friend Charlie Brown discusses this with his ever-challenging friend Lucy van Pelt in a four-panel Peanuts strip that originally appeared on December 25, 1965.

Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
Originally printed 12/25/1965
Taken from http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/Peanuts_Wiki?file=Pe651225.gif
No Copyright Infringement Intended

What do you think?  Is this simply an idealistic mindset, or does it already exist, and I am blind to it?  Are you glad that "Christmas is finally over," or does the December 25th celebration of faith, family, friends, food and whatever else Christmas means to you buoy you for another year?  Was this year more difficult because marketing was concurrent with the election cycle?  Perhaps it is a financial consideration.  Please share your comments below.