Christmas Redemption

Christmas is a time of redemption;
perhaps because the celebration began
with the birth of Christ,
the one meant to redeem us all.
It certainly has evolved 
from its holy origins. 

The Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge
could tell you about that.
They both hated Christmas
for the commercialism and greed
that's become such a big part of it.
The colored lights and carol singing,
the gift giving and excesses of the season,
brought them no joy,
until they realized those things
weren't what made Christmas so special.

The Grinch and Scrooge find their way
into all of us from time to time.
The pressures of the world we live in
make it hard to see what's truly important.
So many are grieving and lonely,
feeling left out and alone,
wondering why they don't 
feel the Christmas spirit
like they used to.
Some wonder if they ever did.

The spirit of Christmas is love.
The best gifts come from inside us,
they aren't expensive, and are always in stock,
even if we have to dig deep inside to find them.
Kindness and love don't need bags or bows;
they are easily delivered 
with a smile, a kind word, or a hug.
If we make the best of everyday,
if we live with a generosity of spirit,
we can make everyday Christmas day,
and the world will be a better place
for all of us.

Everyone loves a redemption story.
We recognize a little of ourselves
in the trials and tribulations
of characters like Scrooge and the Grinch—
and if they can be saved,
then there's a chance for us too.
The question is, 
will we take that chance?

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

May you receive the true gifts of the season: Love, Kindness, Joy, and Peace,

and I hope you share them with everyone you meet.

~Elise Skidmore ©2024