CHRISTMAS is here! It is the most anticipated day in the calendar. Although it is a Christian holiday, the day that Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus, everyone, regardless of faith, celebrate the festival and spirit of the season with their shopping, gifting, cooking, merrymaking, entertaining, eating, serving the less fortunate, and even worshipping.

Shopping is almost over for meals and gifts, and adults begin preparations of meals for an extended period. It is a special time for children and a poignant time to reflect on what we did during the year.

The season also brings back memories of our own childhood and of growing up. Children look forward to Christmas morning for special gifts, which they open with delight. It is also a time of giving, of caring not only for ourselves and our own families, but also for others in need.

It is the season that one can’t escape, regardless of whether you wish to celebrate or not. There is seasonal music and decorations everywhere. People join in the fun and celebration, regardless of faith.

Some celebrants have plenty, more than they can use. Their yards and homes are brightly lit and families have many colourfully wrapped packages to share among each other. Others have less and make do with what they have.

Regretfully, so much attention is spent on the material aspects of the season, such as consumerism and entertainment, that the solemn meaning of the season sometimes gets lost.

In addition to everything else, it is also the season of hope and to care for and share with others, especially the dispossessed and those who can’t afford three daily meals or for those who are without roofs over their heads. Sharing a little possession or wealth with others would not impoverish the donors and would brighten the faces of the recipients.

Your kindness and generosity will touch many lives that cut across religious lines, more so than any other holiday we celebrate in our beautiful country of a kaleidoscope of people and faiths. Let’s help support and feed the needy.

Christmas is a time of family traditions, especially of getting together and strengthening bonds and worshiping. And we encourage such getting together. However you celebrate, we wish you a merry Christmas and a joyous season

It can be admitted that, just like children, adults, too, feel their hearts swell and feel joy whenever they spend time cleaning, cooking or being out in the packed streets across the country.

Immense joy is also felt when giving back to those less fortunate, or when wrapping gifts for your children, and providing them with the things finances simply can’t buy.

The best of this season is being able to have stories to tell for many years to come; the stories of that aunt who never misses an event, or of the children who make funny statements about the way something looks. And then there are the stories of that one family-friend who happens to get so drunk, that he falls off the bridge at your home.

The stories of a woman making it safely out of an abusive relationship, and starting anew; a child being adopted just in time for Christmas; a last-minute promotion or bonus added to your salary. Then there are the stories of the unsung heroes around us; those who, despite not having a lot, give a lot. The stories that inspire us the most to be kind and gentle, and to not take our lives, or our health for granted.

Christmas movie marathons that bring your family closer, and pitch a fresh perspective of life that you’ve never seen or heard of before. Christmas Carols blasting all day in most homes throughout the country. The entire fuss of entering stores along Regent Street for one single thing that you just, “gah get” to make the house look as elegant as ever.