Christmas Isn't a Day

By Mark W. Danielson

One of my favorite Christmas songs is I’ll be Home for Christmas. Perhaps part of the reason for this is I’m usually gone for the holiday, but as in the song, I’m always there in my dreams.

You see, Christmas is a state of mind, not one day out of the year. The Christmas spirit brings good will, just as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa do. During the holiday season, people think about others more than they do at other times of year. It’s also the one time that people stay in touch, and is a huge help for the US Postal Service. Even holiday shopping isn’t a bad thing because it helps our economy. No matter which holiday you celebrate, don’t forget the reason behind the season.

I believe the older you get, the more you “get it” – that the holiday season is more about giving than receiving. Come to think of it, perhaps it’s also a more forgiving time, as well. Even our troops overseas manage to get into the spirit. Watching clips of them in Iraq and Afghanistan makes me appreciate our freedom that much more. Twinkling Christmas lights show us how fortunate we are to have electricity. Watching holiday movies retrieves pleasant memories from days gone by. Seeing the sparkle in children’s eyes gives us hope for the future.

The other day, I was performing my cockpit preflight when a mechanic came in to check the fuel. Neither of us was pressed for time, so we chatted a bit and I wished him a Merry Christmas. He mentioned it was gutsy for me to say that because of our political correctness, to which I said I will always wish people a Merry Christmas because it comes from the spirit it was intended. No one should be offended by a wish of good will. I certainly wouldn’t get upset if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanza. After all, “Tis the season to be jolly, falalalala lalalalah.”

However you chose to celebrate this season, remember that the holiday spirit has no limitations. Make each day a good one, and pray for Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men. Merry Christmas, everyone.