Christmas Just Doesn't Seem Like Christmas Anymore

It's depressing how caught up people get this time of year. It's why I hate it. Let me tell you why. 

This day and age everyone seems to feel inclined to receive a gift. 

We go from celebrating being thankful and as soon as dinner is over we are driving to target for black FRIDAY deals that now start Thursday evening. 

People trample others in order to get the deal of the season! Really?! You just got done stuffing your face being thankful for heaven knows what, then you are hurdling old people for some of the lamest things. 

People are in a hurry. You don't see many people holding doors for others, letting the car that needs to merge lanes, switch over. You just don't see a lot of thank you's or please. I this season have not heard Merry Christmas or even Happy Holidays. Really?! As much as happy holidays bugs me it's still something. 

But let me tell you why I do love this season. 

Christmas light glow on almost every street. 

There's always a station playing straight Christmas music. 

There is always an older person who enlightens you with their Christmas wisdom. 

You feel a greater blessing of family, no matter how much you can't stand them. 

You can find Santas, reindeer, snowmen, trees just about anywhere, but those places with the nativities sure put you in a better mood. 

It doesn't matter what God you believe in we all come from the same one, and we all know the story of the birth of Christ. 

I could go on, but what I love about this season most, are those kind acts that if you look hard enough you'll see done in secret. That one thing my parents pounded into is growing up. Christmas season is about GIVING to others, even if  it's not much. We shoveled show of driveways, sidewalks, and occasionally the basketball courts so we could play. We loved doing 12 days of Christmas. And getting wood and splitting it for the elderly. 

It just bugs me that things such as service, gratitude, and humility are so scarce to see during this Christmas season. 

Tonight though, I needed some sort of comfort and peace. I was feeling pretty bummed out about not having much holiday cheer. 

Here I sit. With this gorgeous building in front of me. With a nativity and beautiful music. I see friends sitting together on a bench. Children in awe of the beautiful lights. Families standing near the nativity listening to the story. And as much as it usually sickens me, I see couples, young and old, holding hands walking these temple grounds. It all made me so happy to have listened to the prompting to just drive up. 

I've been sick all week with the flu and just didn't want to go do work inside with what seems to be the down hill of the flu. Instead walking these grounds, enjoying the sight, music, and thinking about the real reason for this season was just put me at peace. It's one of my favorite traditions. Each year my parents always took us down to the St George Temple and we got to enjoy the lights. It's probably one of the reasons this is my favorite place. 

So in the hustle and bustle of this crazy season I just wish there was more "peace on earth and good will towards men." Yeah I did just quote like every Christmas song. Be humble, giving, and joyful this season and remember why it's celebrated.