As the holiday season approaches, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, decorations, Santa Clauses and store bargains. Throw in the stress of exams and end-of-semester projects and it is easy to completely lose track of anything not on your busy schedule.
Maybe it's a bad case of senioritis, but this year as I am approaching holiday shopping and also exams, I have found myself wondering whether (in the grand scheme of things) what we think about in our day-to-day lives is all that big of a deal.
Clearly around Christmas everyone is stressing over buying presents and finding that perfect gift for their mom, sister or significant other. Parents strive to get the latest fad; the "Tickle-Me-Elmo" of the season for their kids. Guys survey all their friends to pick out the most appropriate gift of jewelry; girls wonder what in the world to buy guys that they will actually wear. You would be surprised at the number of families that go into debt during the holiday season every year. Those credit card bills add up, and they will have to scrape through the months of January and February to catch up again.
So I will go ahead and state the cliche: Is that really what Christmas is all about? I don't think that your parents are going to love you any less if you don't find them the perfect gift. Instead of stressing over shopping, just remember to do the little things. After you get home for break, bake cookies with your mom. Help your dad pick out the Christmas tree, even if you would rather be inside where it's warm, watching television. Trust me, they will appreciate it. Your time and love is worth so much more than what you can put in a box.
The season of giving is not really supposed to be just for you and your friends, either. Think about the people who can't buy a big screen TV for their family this year. Some people right in the New River Valley have a hard time putting together a Christmas meal. There are lots of food drives and other ways to support the less fortunate during holiday season. Check out donating to the Montgomery County Christmas Store in Christiansburg or the Interfaith Food Pantry in Blacksburg.
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This needs to be said every year and all the time. Thank you.
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I walked into the morning service at NLCF last Sunday and paused for a moment, playing from the speakers was "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." In the midst of worry about projects and finals I felt a moment of peace knowing that Christmas is but a few weeks away. All to often I forget to relax but this year, I think I'll just enjoy things, and if I fail, at least I fail happy, but hopefully I wont
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Well Written column. http://www.pollockserve.com
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