“The age-old yuletide season is about to slip in the door once again. Better not shout, better not pout, for the malls and shops will be playing “Jingle Bells” several thousand times between now and December 25.

“If you’re not careful, the crowds and commercialism will weigh you down like that fourth helping of stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. And there’s nothing worse than a jaded attitude that resists the true spirit of the season…”
I read the foregoing extract, and later listened to the lyrics of the song, ‘There’s something about Christmas that makes you wish it was Christmas every day’ by Brian Adams:
To see the joy in the children’s eyes
the way that the old folks smile
says that Christmas will never go away

We’re all as one makes no difference if you’re black or white
’cause we can sing together in harmony. It’s the time of year when everyone is together; we’ll celebrate here on Christmas day.  When the ones you love are there, you can feel the magic in the air, you know its everywhere.
And then I reflected on Christmas and those things that fascinate me at Christmastime. I discovered that although this year has been a challenging one for me in numerous ways, I still have a practical reason to look back over it with gratitude for God’s protection and grace.
These reflections set in motion the ideal mental attitude to carry me through the weeks ahead. In other words, my sustained spirit of humble gratitude will make the period leading up to December 25 an integral part of the Christmas celebration.
But, what is my penchant? Could it be the Christmas Cards?
In many countries, most people post Christmas greeting cards to their friends and family, and these cards are hung on the walls of their homes. The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first ‘Penny Post’ public postal deliveries began.
This new railway system, the public postal service, was the 19th Century’s communication revolution, just as email is for us today. Traditionally, Christmas cards displayed religious pictures: Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, however, pictures are often portrayed in the form of jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.
Is it Father Christmas, then?
Throughout the years, Father Christmas has been known to give small presents to children in shops or at children’s parties. Sometimes they are asked what gifts they wanted for Christmas. This is a time of magic and excitement, especially when Santa  shows up at their homes, with his long white beard, red suit, and green sack on his shoulders and bellows, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

But, who is he?
Legend has it he’s a real person, St. Nicholas or ‘Santa Claus’ (which comes from the Dutch word, ‘Sinterklaas’), and that he was a Christian leader from Myra (modern-day Turkey) in the 4th Century AD. He wanted to give money to poor people without their knowing about it. So, one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! And that is why children today still believe that Father Christmas comes down the chimney, and places gifts in their stockings.
How about the lights?
It was impossible for anyone to forget that Christmas is coming. Coloured lights, shiny decorations, and artificial snow were painted on shop windows as early as November and onwards. By mid-December, these kaleidoscopic images could be seen in most homes. And today, people even decorate garden trees, lawns and house walls with coloured electric lights.
Perhaps, it’s the Christmas tree!
Streets, homes and shops are usually decorated with ‘Christmas trees’ (real or plastic evergreen ‘conifer’ ones) with lights and Christmas ornaments. I shudder to think what my grand-aunt would have said if she were alive today.  She always used cuttings of fresh pine trees; and that was picked a day or two before Christmas Day or on Christmas Eve itself. She was always mindful that it did not droop before Christmas Day.  Every Christmas morning, I awoke to the aroma of the fresh pines, the garlic pork, black cake, and fresh homemade bread.
Maybe it’s the fact that shopping centres became busier, and often stayed open till late, playing Christmas Carols, Reggae and the traditional Christian Christmas songs; or even that carollers sang carols on the streets to raise money for charity.
We cannot overlook the fact, too, that many hotels and restaurants are fully booked about a week before Christmas, as workplaces vie for spots to hold their Christmas parties. And also that time of year, when young people ‘catch their Christmas hand’.
My grandson is eagerly awaiting his X-box, and my granddaughter is looking forward to receiving a Kindle Fire.  Husbands and wives, and people of all walks of life are anticipating the receipt of some kind of present, be it gold, diamonds or straw. I would love to have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.  I love to see and experience the glee on the faces of the recipients of gifts; I love to feel the ambience that Christmas brings; that which is conducive to the spirit of togetherness and love to reign. I love to peer into the joyful eyes of children, and I really enjoy the old folks’ smiles, for all these things capture one’s imagination, and give the divine secret away. I love presents, and more especially God’s gift of unending love.  ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved son, that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’  John 3:16.
What did you like best about Christmas when you were a kid? New toys? Grandmother’s house? Or was it the pine-ey aroma of the Christmas tree et al? If it’s simply the sheer wonder of it all;  the look on the faces of the  young children on Christmas morning; the excitement and sparkle in the old folks smile, and if it’s simply experiencing the joy of Christmas,  then  open your heart to a season of wonder.
We live in a world fraught with evil; one in which innocent people are gunned down as they go about their business; where world governments seem powerless to stop those whose intent is to control through fear. Children are rising up against parents and vice versa, and the girl child fears the abuse of her father.   But we cannot afford to end the year in frustration. I, like you, have seen and experienced God’s hand of protection and mercy, even in the toughest moments.
During this holiday season, let gratitude become our creed. Let no stumbling block cause us to be cynical. Let us consistently remind ourselves of God’s provision in our lives and the lives of our loved ones, and the special time of spiritual enrichment, personal renewal, and genuine gratitude which this Christmas will bring.
Many people can hope for more than presents at Christmas. But let us somehow return to a time in our childhood (or some other good time in the past) when life was simpler and made more sense before the troubles of adult life arrived. Let us be assured that behind all the fun and decorations, there is somehow a message, something more, some key to life, hope and happiness!