Is Christmas Spirit of Love a Myth or Reality?

Today while shopping for cold medicine I received the biggest smile from a stranger and a cheery, "Merry Christmas!" It's the season of love again when strangers will greet you and say, "Hello," "Have a nice day!" "Merry Christmas!" "Happy Holidays!" and, "Happy New Year!" It truly is my favorite time of year. I love to see the expressions on children's faces as I reveal in the wonder of their imaginations as they go around believing in the jolly old man in the red suit, with the white beard, Jell-O shaking belly and a big laugh with a, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" It's an example of pure love.

There's a song, "If Everyday Was Like Christmas?" This song expresses how I truly feel as a romantic lifer. Not that I want to be greedy and receive presents every day, but I'd love to see more of the love and kindness people exhibit this time of year towards each other. We reach in our pockets and give more freely to help hungry families and children whose parents can't afford to buy food, none the less afford to buy gifts and place them under a Christmas tree. And this year donations are way down because of unemployment rates and the financial crisis occurring in homes. I understand myself, unable to give this year like I'd want to.

The upbeat feelings you receive while you listen to Christmas music and television specials, shop and wrap gifts, attend parties and church services, and gather with your loved ones and friends' fans out through the world. People come together with a renewed sense of hope and love. Each year I ask myself, "Why can't we continue this feeling of joy after the decorations and trees are taken down?" I don't mean the commercialism of the holiday you see that's pushed right after Halloween. Still, after the ball drops on New Year's Eve we quickly return to burying our heads, avoiding each other's eyes and settling back into our own troubles and routines.

The world is a traumatic place with the conflicts we face today. Our young people are troubled, bullying each other and having a continued rise in teen suicides. I can't list all the insanity we deal with every day but to name a few I will. Teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic and child abuse, senseless murders, foreclosures, unemployment, terrorism, wars, genocide, and other tragedies that can bring you down if you have a caring heart. Some may choose to turn a deaf ear and just worry about their own personal traumas, but many financially and physically able to offer help elect not to.

I don't have the answers to end the world's dramatic agonies, but I can ask questions. "Why can't the season of love continue throughout the year? "Why do we hate each other so much and often in the name of so-called religions?" "And why can't we reach out to our neighbors and friends and offer a helping hand?" As we celebrate Christmas and the beginning of a new year, remember this message as we celebrate the greatest gift of this season, the gift of love and peace, with the birth of a little baby in a manger who wanted us to experience his greatest gift of love and peace. Go out and share the gift, even if your religion is one unbelieving in the Christmas holiday. Just share the gift of love and peace all year long, and maybe make everyday be like Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Please view and hear this beautiful rendition of, "If Everyday Was Like Christmas?" sung by, Elvis Presley, via the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynJeXnp6UQ8

"Oh why can't every day be like Christmas?
Why can't that feeling go on endlessly?
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
what a wonderful world this would be."

Above chorus lyrics were written by, Red West.