Seeing the world through a child’s eyes can open our own in many ways. It’s an exercise we encourage particularly since we adults seem to view life through the lens of cynicism , prejudice and self-centeredness.
Even at Christmas, when hyprocrisy, self-indulgence and anger should be tamped down, we often find ourselves wallowing in the commerical hype of a season that really should be more about love than material gifts; peace more than in-fighting; a celebration of the things that make us alike rather than a fistacuff over our differences.
Yet this time of year, the mad rush is on, and the stress tightens around our chest and across our temples, often squeezing the joy out of our thoughts because of the growing to-do lists that must be checked off before Dec. 24 rolls around.
We have, in our attempts to make life better, made the most wonderful time of year yet another day to be reckoned with, often draining the merry right out of Christmas.
But at various children’s programs and church cantatas across the county recently we have been reminded that worry should not be the order of the day. Joy should be. And we, like they did in plays and programs, urge everyone to slow down, enjoy the season and, most of all, refuse to allow holiday stress to overwhelm.
And we encourage taking a few minutes to browse — and read — the letters inserted in today’s edition of The Sampson Independent, written by children in grades kindergarten through third grade. Written to Santa, the letters run the gamut of requests, from the expected iPhones and Xboxes to the latest baby dolls and high-tech toys that every youngers hopes will arrive under their treee this year courtesy of jolly old Saint Nick.
But scattered among those letters are notes from children who have seen through the hype and, while perhaps asking for something for themselves in the mix, do not forget the bigger picture of giving to others, sharing love and spending time for family, being thankful for the greatest gifts any of us can ever hope to have on this year.
Those letters remind us of the true spirit of giving that is at the very heart of this magical holiday season.
Some of the letters are sweet, some funny and others terribly sad, a reminder, too, that not all children are blessed to receive the brightly wrapped packages left under many trees, or fortunate enough to lay their heads down in an environment where they feel loved, nurtured and cared for.
Their words touched our heart and, sometimes broke it, as the reality of the times in which we now live resonated once again.
In some of those short, poignant letters, we are reminded of the world in which we live, a world where giving to those less fortunate at Christmas and throughout the year still needs to be a priority in our lives. And we are reminded of the good in children who often see far more clearly than we do.
For the young writers of those heart-felt letters, being close to family, having joy in their heart and providing for those less fortunate than themselves seemed far more important than the latest high-tech gift, the smartphone or the television.
In their remarkable innocence, children of all races, walks of life and ages remind us in simple but eloquent words of what’s really important at Christmas — loving one another, being together and sharing in the warmth and joy that this wonderful time of year brings.
While adults often make it about the presents, stressing about being able to afford the latest gadgets, in truth, children usually want, more than anything, for us to be there for them.
Sure they would love presents. What kid doesn’t? But it’s less about the gifts and more about the giver.
Christmas is truly about giving. It’s about loving others, helping those who need it the very most and being there for all those who love and need us.
If we keep that in mind not only will Christmas be wonderful but the world will be a far better place.