The Spirit of Christmas: It’s about the Feeling
Written By – Anna Giannakouros
When I was a kid, Christmas was my favorite holiday. We always chose a real pine tree (with that amazing fresh pine scent) to decorate and I loved doing that along with all the other festive preparation for the Holidays. My cousins, grandmother, aunts, and uncles would all gather at the house on Christmas Eve and it was so much fun! The house was filled with excitement, laughter and joy with the smell of a roast in the air and tiropites (Greek cheese pie) and spanakopites (Greel spinach pie) baking in the oven.
My mom did most of the organizing, but I loved helping. I would set up the tables, help with the cooking and greet our family at the door all dressed up, high heels and everything. Those memories are some of the happiest of my life. I was young and vibrant and especially on Christmas Eve, everything just felt so beautiful and perfect. Though in many ways, our life was not perfect at all, it simply didn’t matter.
After my mom passed away and I got married, I worked hard to keep those traditions alive. I invited the same family members over, and over the years, though we lost some loved ones along the way, our gatherings did grow as people got married and had kids. I tried my best, and still do, to give my children the beautiful magic feeling of Christmas I experienced growing up.
When you are in a peaceful, happy, feeling and at ease in your mind, you naturally find yourself wanting to create and express. The actions you take flow from the feelings you’re experiencing that often provide you with bursts of energy and inspiration. I always associated Christmas to vibrant and happy feelings and memories so coming from that space, it was easy for me to express myself outwardly and tap into the festivities and traditions of the Holiday Season like getting a fresh tree, decorating, stringing up lights outside, baking cookies for everyone, shopping, wrapping gifts, hosting, attending holiday events, etc… Being a young mom of 3, I was able to do all of this with an abundance of joy in my heart.
Learning to Let Go
When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), many of those traditions became harder to maintain. As my condition progressed, I had to let go of some of the things I once loved because it was nearly impossible to enjoy them while feeling drained and depleted. MS felt like the Grinch who stole Christmas. I was losing the feeling of Christmas and it was being replaced with a sense of dread and anxiety about my body and all the “work” involved with the Holidays that I could no longer perform.
I had associated those activities with the essence of Christmas, believing they were a part of the magical experience and joy we all felt around that time of year. So, in a way, I was actually just like the Grinch, a victim of circumstances that left me feeling bitter and grumpy. But over time, I realized that didn’t have to be the case at all. That feeling of Christmas doesn’t come from the things we do; it comes from within. It is a sense of joy, love, peace and happiness. The feeling comes first, and then actions naturally flow from there. The first part is what matters, not the second part. When we put too much emphasis and importance on the second part, we lose the feeling of the first part. The traditions are there simply to help remind us of that feeling of love in our heart, which is not actually just the spirit of Christmas; it is the essence of who we truly are.
We can never lose that, we just, innocently, forget it sometimes. But the kid in our hearts never forgets it.
Honor your Limits
Today, I might not be the young, vibrant teenager who used to greet guests in high heels, or the busy mom of three who got it all done. But, I’m still me, and inside, I’m still that young girl who loves welcoming people at the door, even if I’m doing it from my power wheelchair nowadays.
That child is still alive in all of us.
I still have the capacity to feel joy and peace in my heart. And from that place, I create what I can, using creativity and inspiration while honoring my limits. If I can’t do everything, I let go without guilt. For instance, if I choose to decorate a tree, it may be less elaborate now, but I infuse it with the same love and energy I always did.
The message I want to share is this: the magic of Christmas doesn’t come from external traditions or activities – it begins inside of you. When you nurture that inner peace and joy, everything you create, no matter how simple, becomes meaningful. Christmas isn’t about the extras, it’s in the togetherness, love, and joy of simply being present with one another.
It’s about the feeling. And then, from that feeling, that is when decorations, elaborate meals, or perfectly wrapped presents can mean something more!
“What if Christmas doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” – The Grinch, The Grinch who Stole Christmas
Focusing on What Matters
As my energy and abilities changed, I began to focus on doing less but putting more love into what I did. For example, I no longer felt the need to decorate or shop as much, a small effort and a thoughtful note carried just as much meaning. In letting go of the exhausting extras, I began to enjoy Christmas even more.
More importantly, it really resonated that Christmas isn’t about things like the tree and the extras at all. It’s about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the values He represents: love, understanding, generosity, kindness, and compassion. It’s about cherishing the time spent with family and friends and creating memories that last a lifetime. It’s about being present and that’s the best present of them all.
A New Kind of Gift
This Christmas, I invite you to think about what truly makes the season special for you and what resonates with you and take action from that space.
While buying gifts for loved ones is a beautiful expression of generosity, there are countless other ways to embody the meaning of Christmas in ways that go beyond material things and speak directly to the heart. Here are some examples:
Help Someone in Need
One of the simplest yet most impactful gifts you can give is your time and energy to those in need. Whether it’s volunteering in your community, donating to a charity or food drive, or helping families who are struggling in some way, these acts of kindness remind us of the essence of Christmas which is compassion and care for one another.
Extend the Gift of Forgiveness
The holidays are an opportunity to mend broken relationships. Is there a friend, family member, or other person in your life that you’ve become estranged from? Reaching out to them with a kind word, a heartfelt apology, or simply a “Merry Christmas” can be a transformative gift for both of you. Forgiveness is a powerful way to bring peace and healing during this special season.
Offer Your Presence
Many people feel lonely during the holidays, especially those who have lost loved ones or live far from family. A simple visit, phone call, or invitation to share a meal can mean the world to someone who might otherwise spend Christmas alone. Offering your presence is a deeply meaningful way to show love and bring joy to others.
Spread Small Acts of Kindness
Sometimes, it’s the little things that create the biggest smile and these small gestures ripple outward, spreading joy and good mood. For example, pay for a stranger’s coffee at your local drive through, leave a generous tip for a server, or send an anonymous gift to someone who could use a pick-me-up. Shovel a neighbor’s snowy driveway, leave a thank-you note for your mail man or Amazon delivery person, or brighten someone’s day with something like a candle, cookies or flowers for no particular reason. These spontaneous gestures can uplift someone in ways you may never fully realize.
Share Your Professional Skills
Think about what you do for a living and how you might use your expertise to serve others during the holidays. As a life coach, I’ve personally offered free sessions to individuals who were interested. Those hours of service not only helped others but also filled my heart with gratitude. If you’re a teacher, you might tutor a child for free. If you’re a hairstylist, you could offer haircuts to people in shelters. If you are a fitness trainer, gift a free session away to someone who would benefit from it. Whatever your profession, there’s likely a way to use your skills to make a difference.
Think out of the Box
Christmas isn’t just about what we give; it’s about how we give. When you want to gift someone something think beyond wrapped boxes and ribbons and to what they truly need. What can you gift them so that they can feel appreciated, seen and supported?
If someone in your life is experiencing illness for example, maybe a health focused gift would be the most meaningful and appreciated. Use your intuition and select a gift for them that resonates with you. Maybe that may be something like a spa massage to relax and rejuvenate or perhaps something like a foot massager, humidifier or air purifier device to improve living conditions at home.
Heating pads, fuzzy slippers, warm hoodies or electric blankets are other sweet examples of gifts of warmth and comfort for aches and pains. They are not expensive but the sentiment behind them is rich.
The holidays can be stressful, and many people neglect their own well-being while taking care of others. Perhaps bringing a meal to an overwhelmed caregiver or parent is a great idea. Or simply reminding someone you care about to take time for themselves. Helping someone rest and recharge is a wonderful gift.
If you know someone who is mobility challenged perhaps a mobility aid, power wheelchair, recliner or travel scooter would be a wonderful gift of freedom, comfort and independence for them that would better their quality of life. Imagine a gift like that for someone who needs it but can’t afford it and how wonderful that would be.
Merry Christmas
The gift of love comes in many forms. Listen to your heart and act accordingly and you will never go wrong. Merry Christmas, everyone!
“God bless us, everyone!” – Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol