Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The holiday season is upon us once more and the days are full of hustle and bustle, cramming in last minute shopping, decking up the house in festive glory and posting huge stacks of greetings cards.
Yet, as I sit penning my thoughts, I wonder of yesteryear and the very spirit of this holy month when people of all faiths joined in unison to celebrate love, peace and benevolence to brethren. As we rush to add a touch of class to our festivities, we tend to forget the main purpose of celebration. We hardly know the origin of this ritual, this customary celebration.
The feast is set, gifts exchanged and the Christmas tree stands proud and tall, decked with the finest ornaments and streamers, topped with a magnificent gilded star; each has a story, an origin, a tale behind the tradition.
December is a month celebrating goodwill and generosity to others. It teaches us to foster this spirit and whole-heartedly indulge in charity and the happiness of the less fortunate. The entire season of festivity and cheer is as scrumptuous as a warm steaming cup of hot chocolate.
It is often said that Christmas isn't Christmas without the touch of snow; falling from the heavens above. The powdery snow seems to blanket this cozy season, tucking everyone into the spirit. This sparkling, awe-striking sheet of snow and ice seems to be the picture postcard equivalent to Christmas.
I stop and sigh, thinking of the delight of a white, snowy Christmas, tucked away in a cozy home, surrounded by my closest relatives celebrating God and the gifts he has given us all. A happy picture it paints.
As I write, envisioning blissful, joyous moments, I'm bathed in bright sunlight streaming from my window, foretelling the impossibility of snow. That yearning for snowflakes must grip the hearts of many at this time of the year. The swirling snow outside your window whilst you join in a particularly rousing chorus of 'Joy to the World' can be very satisfying. Yet, the mercury seems to be riding high as the thermometer grins and announces temperatures in the 20s.
However, gifts wrapped, donations made, heart warming cards received and the squealing of exuberant children pumped up with holiday spirit seems to bring my wish true. I may be dreaming, but whilst the sun shines merrily through my window, tiny snow flakes cascade from my bedroom ceiling, sprinkling Christmas cheer and goodwill, falling upon my writing desk, and I think it's going to be a very white Christmas after all...
