Have We Lost Our Spirit?
“As we get older the holidays can seem a bit more lonely. Enjoy the holidays with the ones close to you. Take the time to reflect and be grateful for the things you do have.”
Strolling through the city of New York this past holiday season, I couldn't help but notice the absence of snow-covered streets, the lack of festive lights, and the absence of people dressed as Santa. It made me wonder, is there truly a holiday season? Or has it come to an end? Or did we lose our spark? Is it because we got older? Could it have been the pandemic? Is it social media? What happened to the holiday season?
When I was a kid I remember being so excited for the month of December. Christmas, my birthday, and New Years are all of my favorite times. But it doesn't feel the same. When I originally thought of this piece, I can say social media heavily impacted my opinion. But speaking to many students and teachers about what the holidays are to them has shifted my point of view.
I asked a number of students how they felt towards the holiday season. Nyah Serrata, a senior, said: “I don't even celebrate and I'm like damn this doesn't feel like christmas.” But the main reason she felt the holiday spirit died was because we got older. As time passed the spirit died within ourselves, not the season itself. Arnel Asante, another senior, said: “Once I got older, the idea that Christmas was for presents changed.” Arnel celebrates Christmas for religious purposes and feels that in his community there is a mixture of holiday joy with those religious purposes.
Like most students I agreed completely with what they were saying. Once I got older, Christmas just became boring. I didn't run to my living room to open gifts, I didn't wake my parents up at the crack of dawn. I wasn’t counting down the days until Christmas.
But when I started talking to teachers, my perspective switched. Ms. Germain, 11th grade ELA teacher, said the holidays shifted throughout her life. When she was young she looked forward to presents, spending time with family, and lighting the menorah. But it can be easily affected. The holidays can remind you of the losses in your life. From family members, jobs, and lack of finances. Even though the holidays shifted throughout her life, she still loves the holidays and hopes to keep the spirit alive for her future children.
Mr. Murray, 12th grade history teacher, loves the holidays and does everything he can to keep them alive. He understands that it's hard to keep it going, You're probably not around your family as much or may be dealing with stress or other problems you may have. But he believes you have to work to keep the spirit alive. When the pandemic hit, he was sad about not being able to gather with his family. His aunt had an annual Christmas party, but due to the pandemic she couldn't host one. While we faced these obstacles, he still remained positive and saw the good. He made new traditions, such as watching every Christmas movie on Netflix. He also would love to keep the spirit alive for his future children so he can see them experience these moments and create new memories with them.
Ms. Helmer, 11th grade Biology teacher, ensures that there’s a fine between spoiling and treating her children. She said:“It’s important to me that my children understand we are very fortunate to spend the holidays together, in good health - and that’s the true gift.” She believes that parents are magic, “Most ideas we offer come from our own childhood and experiences as well, making it a great way to honor your own moments of joy as a kid.” But what she thinks is missing the most is reflection: “Taking a moment to count your blessings and offer help when you can to those who are not as blessed as you.”
After hearing and seeing what many thought of the holidays, it gave me time to reflect. I feel like the holidays are what you make of them It doesn't have to be about the gifts. Start making holidays what you want to make them, and stop being upset by the absence of others. As we get older the holidays can seem a bit more lonely. Enjoy the holidays with the ones close to you. Take the time to reflect and be grateful for the things you do have. This is the time to gather with family and appreciate everything life has to offer.