Christmas.
Even after close to 26 years on this planet, it still holds a special place in my heart. It truly is a magical time of year for my family and loved ones.
When I was a little boy I’d look forward to opening up my presents every Christmas morning. Back then as an only child and later the eldest of four brothers I’d wake up at 5 a.m. and scramble upstairs to look at the presents under the Christmas Tree and the Christmas stocking stuffed full of goodies from Santa.
I’d go upstairs and wake up my parents, eagerly telling them Santa Claus had come and it was time to open our presents. The moans and groans that would meet this proclamation bring a smile to my face now. Looking back the best present I could have given them was a few more hours of sleep.
Opening the presents was always a delight. Taking turns me and my brothers would rip into our gifts and loudly shout “No way!” when a particularly coveted present was revealed. One of my favourites was a Lego Star Wars Trade Federation MTT, which I never completed but made up the backbone of my family’s Lego collection for years.
Now while opening presents was obviously the highlight as a child, that wasn’t all Christmas was about. As Roman Catholics, we’d go to mass throughout the Christmas season, including the magical but very long Midnight Mass. Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ might be overlooked for some, but my mom and dad always made sure it was top of our minds.
After church at St. John’s the Evangelist, we’d often take a drive or family walk down Candy Cane Lane, a street in Edmonton where the whole neighbourhood puts up lights for Christmas. Such a unique combination of human creativity and community truly would put me in the holiday season.
As I’ve grown older what I value most about Christmas has changed. Sure, I still like getting presents but the real gift for me is time with my family.
Whenever I risk the airport to fly home at Christmas I’m greeted by my mum, dad and some combination of my brothers. Spending precious time with them is invaluable, especially as my brothers have aged into adolescence and adulthood.
Each visit begins with some ambitious plans from Zach, the eldest brother next to me. He always wants to maximize our time together and insists we have at least one Nerf War, a pool tournament or a trip to tobbagan hill. Now that he’s 19 I’ll have to see about taking him to a bar this year.
Eddie meanwhile is a bit of a harder nut to crack. At 16 he’s often ‘playing it cool’ or being contrary for the sake of being contrary. Once you coax him into an activity though he’s a riot and will be just as enthusiastic as Zach, not that he’ll admit it.
I always try to make time for Danny, the youngest at 13. For most of his life I’ve been moved out of the house at college or work so I treasure time spent building memories with him. In some ways, he’s the most like me and I like to think I’ve passed on at least some of my love of reading.
Then of course there’s spending time with my parents. Going for winter walks with my Mom and having my yearly chat about my future with Dad may not be as exciting as a nerf war, but they’re spiritually fulfilling.
Outside of my family I still have a few close friends in Edmonton I call up every Christmas. My childhood friend Chris is always game to meet and catch up while my old theatre friend Janel enjoys taking me out shopping and to some trashy movie. Doesn’t matter what we do, really, so long as we do it together.
So in short the magic of Christmas has never really gone away. As I’ve grown older how that magic manifests itself changes along with what I value. Family, new memories and fellowship can’t be bought, for their value is priceless.
This holiday season I encourage everyone to spend time with those they love. The memories you’ll form together will last far longer than anything you get under the Christmas tree.
Merry Christmas!
