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It’s hard to imagine that Christmas is only ten days away…and the official start of winter is December 21, even though this past week we have tasted and felt winter in the seasonal snow and cold temperatures. Even school children know it’s winter when there are snow days.

Winter is often a time to retreat from the outside world. It’s the retreat that is so delicious – in the embrace of warmth that dispels cold. Winter is full of such seasonal treats: hot chocolate, oatmeal, waffles, hot toddies, rummy egg nog, as well as heavy blankets, fuzzy socks and ugly sweaters. It’s by the fire, with a book or friends and family, that our life feels richer. 

Winter’s reputation for hibernation is also punctuated with bursts of energy. We think of winter as a time when the earth dies, however, the season is associated with Christmas trees and their glittering lights and evergreens and their bright, red berries. 

This year the winter solstice is December 21 and beginning December 22, each day gets a bit longer. It’s only by two or three minutes – too incremental to notice – and yet brightness is accumulating every day as the season progresses. When the New Year begins, spring is less than 100 days away. 

With winter comes Christmas, the season of merriment and gift giving. Holidays – those annual rituals that meld familial traditions with more mystical and collective ones – embody each of their seasons. And in winter we kick off with the gift-giving traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas. 

Winter is as much about lounging in PJs and sipping tea as it is about racing down a mountain on skis or a sled. Winter is lovely but for those who have the opportunity, it can also be loads of fun. 

Those holidays are followed by the great restart button that is New Year’s, when we stay up and make noise as witness to time’s odometer flip. Our hope for a better future is at its peak on December 31. We resolve to do better. Everything seems possible at the moment.

But, as winter sets in this week, Christmas emerges again as decorations adorn every corner. Beyond its dazzling lights and abundant feasts, Christmas encapsulates generosity, compassion, and selflessness. It’s a time for celebration and contemplation, centering on the essence of giving.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to be consumed by materialism, losing sight of our true priorities. The heart of Christmas resides in the act of giving, extending beyond mere presents wrapped in ribbons. It’s about giving of ourselves – our time, empathy, and resources – to uplift others.

This year, we can reignite the holiday spirit by refocusing on giving back to our communities.

Each small act of kindness contributes to a more compassionate society, whether volunteering at a local shelter, contributing to an empty stocking fund, playing Santa Claus to a family forced from their home by Hurricane Helene, or offering a comforting word to someone in need.

This season isn’t solely about indulgence; it’s an opportunity to support those facing difficulties. Let’s acknowledge the challenges within our community and stand in solidarity with those who require our aid. Kindness can brighten someone’s day and renew hope amid challenging times.

Instilling the value of generosity in the next generation cultivates enduring virtues. Encouraging children to engage in charitable activities or emphasizing empathy and kindness over materialism teaches the genuine essence of the season. It shapes them into empathetic individuals who comprehend the profound joy of giving.

The natural enchantment of Christmas doesn’t lie in extravagant gifts but in the human connections forged through acts of kindness. Let’s welcome this season as an opportunity to nurture a culture of giving and selflessness. Let’s rekindle the spirit of generosity that illuminates even the darkest corners of our world, spreading warmth and joy to all.

In doing so, we can make the days of winter bright and warmer for others as well as for ourselves.