Christmas
A Season of Hope, Tradition, and Giving
Christmas is more than a holiday, it is a story of faith, tradition, and kindness. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores the origins of Christmas, the traditions it has gathered over centuries, and the ways it inspires generosity and hope today.
The Bible reports a census called by the Romans. Maybe it happened. As the story unfolds, a pregnant woman arrives to be counted, cannot find lodging, and gives birth to a boy in a stable among the animals. That is the start of a drama that only grows more intense as the story goes on.
Christians celebrate this birth as the birth of a savior who has come to rescue the world from evil forces. As the story continues, this boy teaches, builds a community of faith, and sacrifices himself so that his community may thrive. And his community has indeed been thriving. The Christian faith has spread across the world.
In December, Christians celebrate this birth and the miracles associated with it. Over time, traditions related to this story were added that were clearly not part of the original experience. Cutting down a fir tree and decorating it comes from ancient pagan rituals. The Norse Yule added gift giving, decorating with fir trees, and feasting. Romans contributed gift giving and elaborate food displays. In some ways, Christmas seems like a tumbleweed, picking up traditions as the years go by.
We are polluting our waters and oceans. We are overpopulating to the point of extinction. We are damaging our environment to the point that we may not be able to breathe in the near future. Clearly, a savior is a good idea.
Christmas is a season of hope. For this moment, we pause to celebrate each other and to be kind. We bake cookies and take them to neighbors. We sort through old clothes and provide warm coats and hats for the homeless. We donate more to the food pantry and the soup kitchen. We feed the hungry and look for ways to support others. Christmas is a time of giving and a time of thinking about how to be available to our fellow man in ways that will improve his level of comfort and competence.
As you decorate your Christmas tree and place presents underneath it, you are grateful for the simple and the complex. You reflect on the neighbor who smiles and says hello each morning as you pass by on your way to walk your dogs. You are excited to make a bag of goodies for each of the teachers who guide your children day after day and encourage them to accept challenges and improve their skills. You are grateful for the volunteers at the Christmas Bazaar at your church who stay late to help you clean up.
Want to explore more about the traditions and meaning of Christmas? Visit Psychology Today’s article on the meaning of Christmas and Greater Good’s guide to how Christmas fosters generosity and connection.
If you’re reflecting on traditions, gratitude, or ways to deepen connection this season, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support clarity, compassion, and emotional growth.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
