for the holidays hope

story by | kathleen wrigley

Here’s an epiphany: Christmas is commercialized. And, it seems to come earlier every year. You learn that “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” when you’re picking up those finishing touches for Halloween costumes, while listening [and humming along] to “Jingle Bells” over the loud-speaker in retail stores. Before we know it we’ll be able to shop for back-to-school supplies and garland during the same shopping trip.

Pass the TUMS, please.

As adults, we’re already in a rush, without the help of the marketing world pushing the next event or holiday or season on us. And, yes it’d be nice for us to sit back and enjoy each moment. Revel in the ghouls and goblins of Halloween. Look forward to the bounty and togetherness of Thanksgiving. And, prepare for the joys and celebration of Christmas, closer to the actual holiday season. Is it possible to step out of our fast-forward, frantic lives long enough to remember the glory of Christmas?

Every year, without fail, we are asked from the pulpit, from TV news and newspaper reporters, from teachers, from ordinary people, and from…ahh hem…magazine columnists, “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” For as many outdoor lights that line the store shelves in October, there are at least that many outlets taking a stab at answering this question.

Perhaps grown-ups are afraid that the meaning of Christmas is in danger of being disguised by all the hubbub and commercial promotion of the season. Still, the question is a perennial one and it should be. Let’s urge these conversations forward and ask and re-ask the central question: How does [or how should] the meaning of Christmas impact our daily lives?

Without having to search very hard, the answer lies right under our noses. Sure, children love toys and presents, but they also get the essence of Christmas. And, what a gift it is to see what they see!

Children sense the magic and promise of Christmas. Kids are full of hope and wonderment. There is little doubt in my mind that there really are visions of sugar plums dancing in their dreams. The excitement pulsing through their tiny veins is as innocent and pure and hopeful as the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

I asked some local kindergarten, second and fourth grade students to tell me what Christmas means to them. One hundred percent of them mentioned Jesus’ birthday.

Amen. I could end there…but there’s more.

I recently read a child’s letter to Santa. She wrote: “Dear Santa, do you know that Jesus is the real reason for Christmas? Not to be mean, but he is.”

The students were asked to describe presents they could give without going to any store. Spending time with family, baking cookies and sharing them, singing carols, going to church, praying together, giving hugs and kisses, sipping hot cocoa, being kind and helping those who need help, filling the dome with food for the hungry, and giving their clothes away to kids who need clothes were all ways they could celebrate Christmas without shopping.

Blessed be the children.

And, while children have unbelievably open hearts and welcome the spiritual meaning of Christmas day, they bask in the celebration and traditions [and yes, even the commercialization] leading up to the big day.

I think we can all agree that some of that is ok. All the glitter adds to the splendor of the season. Our children see through it and they’re able to embrace it all. On a recent trip to a local retail store, I watched with a smile as my 2-year-old caught a glimpse of the Christmas trees, blinking and shining. The expression on her face certainly made those trees more bright and merry.

It’s fun that these little buggers want to go on a “family vacation—just once—to the North Pole.” Or, that their wish is to meet an elf to see if they’re “really that small.” There’s joy in the traditions of writing wish-list letters to Santa and leaving treats for him and his furry, flying friends. And, frankly, I’m not willing to give up the leverage those “naughty and nice” lists give me in the months leading up to the big day.

With all of the hoopla comes hope. Watch a child and you’ll see.

This photo of our son, Patrick, says a lot. It was taken Christmas Eve 2007. He was five. He stood, watching Santa distribute a gift for each grandchild in the Wrigley family. His gift was on the bottom of Santa’s bag. So, he waited with his little fingers crossed, behind his back. Patient and hoping. Wishing and believing.

Here’s to seeing it all, even those dancing sugar plums, through the eyes of a child.

Yup, the holidays are commercialized. And yes, they’re thrust upon us earlier and earlier every year. So, instead of fighting it, accept that there will be some chaos, but remember the magic, the reason for Christmas, and the hope that lies within—all while we’re shopping and humming and preparing because…Jesus and Santa are coming to town.

And, this is one birthday party that doesn’t need to be overhauled.

Happy Everything this holiday season!

Kathleen is a stay-at-home mom who serves on a number of community boards/ committees, is active in her church, kids’ school, and politics and runs to sustain her own mental health! This Philadelphia native is married to a fourth generation North Dakotan, Drew, and proudly considers North Dakota her home. They have three children. Before becoming a mom, she was director for Bismarck’s Child Advocacy Center and was a speech writer. Kathleen received a BS from The Pennsylvania State University and completed her graduate studies at Temple University, in Philadelphia.