It's very cold outside and the sun is just barely breaking over the horizon. I've been up all night in feverish anticipation but you would never be able to tell it. My brothers and I are jumping around and almost shaking with excitement. We've been waiting in our room for that exact moment our parents told us we should wake up. We've all jumped into the bed with them to wake them and they have instructed us to stay in the hallway and wait for my dad to come get us. We stand as close to the end of the hall as we possibly can, jockeying for the best position. My dad seems to take hours to set up his video camera but finally we hear "OK boys, come on!". There are no words to express the feelings and the joy of the next few moments. Between seeing the lit up Christmas tree with piles of gifts under and four little piles of toys set out for each of us. There are gasps, screams, and my mother's eyes are full of joyful tears. Even the rock solid foundation of our family, my father, is a little glassy eyed. In between sifting through our toys and waiting for the signal to tear into the wrapped gifts there are hugs and "I love you"s for everyone. The one moment a year that no one is afraid to admit how important we all are to each other.
That is the way I remember my first 8-9 Christmas mornings. Those memories and feelings are, to me, the essence of "Christmas Spirit". As the innocence of childhood has faded it has become harder to capture that feeling. I find myself doing odd things in an attempt to find some this so-called Christmas magic. I go shopping listen to Christmas songs and bake cookies and drink eggnog and hangout with my siblings and family. I find great happiness in buying gifts and looking at the lights. I also donate money or time to charity to and find myself very empathetic to the plight of others. I even cry during Christmas movies! (It's a Wonderful Life anyone?) All of this is atypical to my normal behavior. But why? Why do I find all this acceptable only in December? Perhaps it's because every year for fleeting moments I feel exactly like I did when I ran out of that hallway. Something that, for me, is completely and utterly priceless.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
