The Christmas holiday traditionally has been the highlight of the entire year in the western culture. Even though it has a religious heritage, the holiday has become a joyful, secular celebration shared by many. Families gather together feasting over seemingly endless amount of food and good conversation. Children are playing in the background while waiting with their anxious little eyes for their presents to be unwrapped, and see if Santa has been good to them this year.

...Wait! Let's rewind the tape a bit. Did we mention that this is how we "wish" Christmas to be? For some, Christmas holiday truly turns out to be like previously described consistently. If that is your case, It's such a blessing! However, for many, Christmas has become the most stressful time of the year when the pressure of shopping and all the expectations from the family gatherings become overbearing. In the mist of all holiday preparation chaos, we have inevitably lost the true meaning of Christmas celebration.

Christmas means different things to different people. For Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For others, it is a time for family gatherings. For merchants, it means a prime season to bring in large profits! For most kids, it's the best time of the year since Santa always showers them with lots of gifts. In contrast, to a small population, it is also an unfortunate time to remind them of their loneliness while their difficulties in life seem to be magnified. With all the stress, commercialism and stigma around Christmas, perhaps we all need to redefine what Christmas means to us as an individual.

For me, Christmas means the celebration of love as Christ is the symbol of unconditional love. It is the time to reflect upon the love that surrounds us regardless of our family status. True, it's hard to feel loved when we are alone or instead, on the opposite end of the spectrum, that when we are so overwhelmed by our family demands. The truth is that love does not only come from our family or intimate partners, love is the constant source that radiates through the eyes of all that is around us: strangers with kindness, our pets, nature...etc. If you doubt this, try going down to a homeless women shelter on a cold night and volunteer just a few hours of your time. I am certain that you will find much love in this very unexpected place that seems to represent much lack.

As we celebrate love, it is important we let our loved ones know that we love them and that we are appreciative of their love in a preferably non-commercialized way. It's very unfortunate that Christmas has turned into this insane shopping season that's full of credit card debts and stress instead of love. One of my fondest Christmas memories did not involve any gifts or big feasts. It was simply having a chance and the freedom to stay up playing, giggling with my friends all night until dawn, until our little eyelids slowly shut as we drifted into a deep, joyful sleep. True joy does not need to come with a price tag or be wrapped in pretty paper. I think it's a fact many of us have forgotten throughout the years.

I remember reading a story somewhere about a family. Due to financial circumstances, for Christmas gifts, each member of the family is to write down what they love and appreciate about other members on a piece of paper. These little notes are then put into individual stockings so the receiver get to read what others love about them. What a wonderful Christmas gift giving idea! Just be aware that this particular gift exchange might bring surprises and some tears of joy. It's amazing that some of us truly don't know that our love or simply being ourselves are so much cherished by others. Christmas is the perfect time for the reminders.

As we approach Christmas, try to define what Christmas means to you and what you can do to honor that meaning. If it means lots of gift shopping, it's great. However, if it means something else, don't be afraid to redefine Christmas. It's in the honoring ourselves and others, giving and receiving love, we truly receive the gift of Christmas.