What Christmas means

Roncalli Central High
Port Saunders, Newfoundland

By Kristy H. (Grade 12)

Christmas is just around the corner and, for the first time in a long time, I am excited about it.

For the past few years, Christmas to me just meant another break from school. I know I probably sound like the Grinch that stole Christmas but it is true. I just abhor the way Christmas is looked at by everyone: a wonderful, joyous holiday where kids get lots of presents, adults get drunk and everyone eats a lot.

What is so merry about that?

Christmas to me means a lot more! I admit, I like to get presents, and who doesn't? I also like to eat lots of candy but what I really love is the time I spend with my family. To see all my family come home for the holidays and gather in one house to sing Christmas carols and laugh and talk the whole night through means a lot more to me than all the gifts I find under the tree on Christmas morning. A big hug from my favourite cousin when she comes home for the holidays, or the look in my little cousin's eyes when I just mention the word Santa are the greatest gifts anyone could ever give to me and I could not ask for anything more!

But, these days, the emphasis is not on family. Rather, it is on what to get this one or that one for Christmas. I mean, how can parents enjoy the season when they are so stressed out about buying gifts and the amount of money they are spending? Personally, I think Christmas is a holiday for children. I know myself that it was a lot more fun and more exciting to wake Christmas morning when I believed Santa was real. (A shocking fact that I still find hard to accept!)

However, I guess the true meaning of Christmas really varies from person to person and changes as you get older. Happiness and the importance of family is the central meaning of Christmas for me, and my only wish this holiday season is that everyone will have a great Christmas, spending it together with their family. That is the way it should be.

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