by The Lighthouse
This year, for whatever reason, it seems like the Christmas spirit is in hiding. As I drive around the streets of New Providence, it doesn’t feel like the most wonderful time of the year. Decorated houses are few and far in between, Christmas music is seemingly played out of obligation, and people seem to be preoccupied with other concerns. This leads me to ask the question, which grinch stole Christmas?
Maybe it’s the grinch of inflation? Prices are rising faster than salaries, but gifts are still expected to be under the tree. People are still recovering from high BPL bills over the summer months, so putting up Christmas lights are a lower order concern. On top of all of this, school fees still have to be paid in January! But, maybe inflation isn’t the grinch that stole Christmas.
Maybe it’s the grinch of worry. People may be worried about the new year, not knowing what to expect. Or maybe, people are worried about their finances, hoping and praying that they will be able to afford gifts for their loved ones. People may be worried about their safety, as crime statistically rises during the holiday season. But, there may still be other grinches out there.
Maybe it’s the grinch of grief, caused by the loss of a loved one. The song “Blue Christmas” rings true for many people as they try to celebrate a jolly season without the ones that made it so. Maybe the ink just dried on the divorce papers and the reality of being alone this Christmas is settling in. But wait, there is one more grinch that I have to mention.
Maybe, it’s the grinch of society. How can we celebrate Christmas when families cannot afford to put food on their tables, much less gifts under a tree. How can we celebrate Christmas when hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the middle of a war that they have nothing to do with? How can we celebrate Christmas when our country is only 4 inches away from being under water and the world is years behind on fighting climate change?
Well, I don’t know which grinch stole Christmas and maybe it depends on who you ask. Who knows, maybe I am just getting old and I am on the other side of Christmas, creating the holiday cheer. Regardless, it is my prayer that we all find a reason to celebrate this season, as we remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
