Christmas Traditions, Old and New
Get togethers with family and friends may be frowned upon, but we can still take the time to be thankful for even the small things in our lives
By Gord O’Coin, Regional Director, Sudbury Member Centre
For many of us, the holiday season usually brings so much joy. The kick off to the season usually happens shortly after Remembrance Day and builds up over the following weeks to the actual holiday with work parties, movies, time spent with friends and family, and spending countless frustrating hours in the stores trying to find the perfect gift.
During the holidays, we often spend lots of time with family and friends, many of whom we haven’t seen since last Christmas, which is all capped off with a big party on New Year’s Eve. The joyous season brings closure to one year and inspiration of what is to come.
Christmas Day is tomorrow, but this holiday season is like no other. All of the excitement and build up for the season has been less than stimulating.
Get togethers with family and friends are frowned upon, and possibly illegal, and the only anticipation for 2021 is whether schools will be taking an extended break, how high the COVID-19 numbers will rise, and when we can return to normal.
In this season, there seems to be a lack of hope and a rise in frustration throughout the world. Many are at their breaking point.
For many of us, our traditions have all but been eliminated. One tradition of ours that seems to be okay this year with the government is being able to stay home and watch Christmas movies.
Each year, there are a few new good ones. But every year we get a chance to watch all the old ones like Home Alone, Elf, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, to name just a few.
One movie I have watched every year since I was a child is A Charlie Brown Christmas. This year, Charlie Brown’s woes for the season seem to be all around us.
While many of our traditions may have changed, some may find comfort in the response from Linus where he shares the meaning behind Christmas:
Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. "For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' "
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
Regardless of our traditions, this season is unfamiliar and may bring little joy to our lives. However, we can still take the time to be thankful for even the small things in our lives.
Perhaps this season we can be thankful that we even had traditions in the past, and look forward to our future where old traditions can continue, and new traditions can begin.