There Is Room For It All

It's Christmas morning!  Merry Christmas to all!

I was thinking recently about the differing perspectives on Christmas...the proverbial debate over the "true meaning" of Christmas.  I got to thinking...isn't there room for it all?  Yes, Christmas has become commercialized with Black Friday shopping now starting before Thanksgiving, and Christmas music on Mix 96 starting the day after Halloween, and Christmas store displays appearing even before that.  And, no, Christmas should be ALL about getting presents.

And yes, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians and is celebrated in different ways by different cultures and religions.  We indeed should observe that meaning of Christmas in the respective ways of our culture and/or religious backgrounds.

But isn't there room for all of it?  Can't it be okay to celebrate the seriousness of the birth of the Christ child with the whimsical fun of Santa with the hustle-and-bustle of Christmas shopping for a gift for a loved one or friend?  I think there indeed is room for all of it.

There is room for setting a budget and gift giving; there is room for church service and observance; there's room for Hallmark movies with family; there is room for ripping open gifts with children and grandchildren; there is room for spiced egg nog and Christmas carols.  ALL OF IT IS IMPORTANT, and as we age the birth of Christ can be enjoyed right along with The Polar Express.

So it's Christmas, and enjoy the day and the yearly experience for all of the reasons - the fun and the solemn - because it's all good and there is room for it all!