Christmas Spirit

“Harley, Harper, over here!” Dad called out to the twins above the noise of the bustling crowd. 

Harper turned her head and saw her parents waving near the Hot Chocolate booth. Turning to her brother, she patted him on the shoulder to get his attention, “Come on, it is time for cocoa!” 

What seemed like the whole town was present in the square that night. The annual lighting of the Christmas tree was near at hand, and families were milling about taking in the sights. Local vendors sold their holiday items, there were homemade cookies being passed out, holiday music filling the air, and the twin’s favorite: Hot Chocolate a plenty. 

Though the weather was far from chilly, the tradition remained firm. 

Joining Mom and Dad, Harley said, “I think I found the ornament for our tree this year.”

“Perfect! Let’s check it out after we get some cocoa.” Mom smiled knowing how special it was for the kids to pick out one new ornament every year for their tree. 

Once they got their cocoas, they huddled close together for a family selfie. 

“I think this is going to be the best Christmas yet,” Harper stated matter-of-factly. 

“Oh really? What makes you say that?” Dad asked sipping his hot beverage. 

“We have had such a busy year; so many new things have happened. We have Pickles now. I think it all makes sense that we will have an amazing Christmas also.”

Harley nodded in shared opinion. “Yes, we have been really good too. I bet we will get a record number of gifts.” 

Mom laughed, “While that may be true, let’s not forget that the most important part of the holiday season is to have Christmas Spirit.”

“Yeah, Christmas Spirit and opening our gifts.” Harley laughed. 

Dad pushed him playfully, “Very funny, Son. Listen to what your mom said.”

“I am! But is it wrong of me to be excited for my gifts?”

“Of course not, Honey, I just don’t want that to be your main focus when you think of Christmas.” She gestured around at their festive surroundings, “The feeling of community, the colors of the season, the music, the food, the excitement for the tree, all of these things and more build up the Christmas spirit.”

Dad added, “Christmas spirit is filled with love for others, a generous and giving heart, and hope for the new year ahead.”

“Well, I ‘love’ coming to this event every year, and I ‘give’ some of my allowance money to the Salvation Army, and I ‘hope’ that we can go on another vacation next year.” Harper said and then asked, “Is that Christmas Spirit?”

Mom wrapped her arm around her in a hug while they began to walk to the ornament booth, “You enjoy this event because of the traditions with your family, you give to those less fortunate because you want to help others, and you look ahead in hopes for more times filled with memories and laughter. So, yes, Harper, that is Christmas Spirit.”

“Gift giving and receiving is another way that we can express our love for each other, but it is a small snowflake in a flurry of other holiday activities to highlight the season,” Dad added as they stopped in front of the wide selection of unique ornaments. 

Harley listened to his twin and to his parents, looking around him at all the other families, he felt a warmth come over him (and not from the hot chocolate). He knew he was happy, he knew that he was blessed, and he knew that he was loved. What more could he want from Christmas? 

He tugged at his mom’s elbow and asked, “I saw a booth earlier that was looking for sign-ups for people to put together a gift box for kids in other countries who aren’t as fortunate as we are. Can we sign up?” He thought of the feeling he gets on Christmas morning and wanted to make sure other children share the same emotion. 

“Absolutely.” Mom smiled wide and squeezed his hand before turning her attention to the ornaments, “Now let’s pick out an ornament before the tree is lit!” 

Does your family have any holiday traditions? Are you going to your town’s tree lighting? What are some ways that you can get the Christmas Spirit this year? Surrounding yourself with your loved ones and doing something to give back is a great start!