Guest Author - Linda J. Paul

So, what is Christmas spirit? Does it involve presents, Christmas trees, mistletoe, decorations, Santa Claus or the birth of a sacred baby? Or, is it a feeling that is present in our hearts and souls at this time of the year? After all, not everyone celebrates Christmas. But, in many different cultures midwinter is a sacred time of the year.

I have a real problem with cut Christmas trees. It is a personal issue with me, just like the fact that I don't like cut flowers. To me, bringing a plant into the house and watching it wither and die is not a beautiful thing. I would rather watch that plant or tree prosper in it's natural environment and go through the process of a natural death or an annual renewal. So, therefore, I don't do Christmas trees. I do, however, decorate the ones outside of my home.
I have a few baskets of pine cones which have already been shed by the trees that brings in the fragrance of evergreen.

I don't do presents either. At least not the Christmas morning variety. Our family gets together at the winter solstice. We exchange a few tokens from the heart, and then gather around the table for a once a year sit down together meal. We end the day with a blessing to the earth for providing us with her bounty.

And, finally, I don't celebrate anyone's birthday on Dec. 25th. In fact, I work all day on Christmas so those who do celebrate the birth of Jesus can have the day off to do their own particular rites and rituals. Christmas Day to me is like the anticlimax of the season. After the presents are opened, the meal is eaten and the mess is cleared, life goes back to business as usual.

I see Christmas spirit as those weeks and days leading up to the day itself. It is not in the shopping malls, the busy streets or the mounting expenses. It is the feeling you get in your heart when you hear those first seasonal songs, see the twinkling lights as you drive home in the evening during the first snowfall, and follow the traditions that each family holds near and dear to their hearts, no matter what their heritage or religion might be.

I don't think it matters if that feeling is called Christmas spirit, holiday spirit, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa spirit, Yule spirit or simply midwinter spirit. This is a special time of the year for reflections on peace, love, harmony and good will to humankind. Too bad we can't keep that spirit alive the rest of the year. What a wonderful world this would be.