During the holiday season, not everyone is feeling jolly when they think of the big man dressed in red and white. While many are singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, others are feeling the blues. Some are feeling blue at Christmas because they can’t be with the one they love, while others don’t love the ones they are with. Still others just don’t understand all of the hype and the reason for the season. For many in the manufacturing and retail world, commercialized Christmas is mostly a time for increased production and economic gain, as well as additional stress and less free time.
Nostalgia seems to be the source of the blues for many who are haunted by the spirit of Christmases past. Nothing seems to be the way it was and never will be again, and the thought of this keeps them from enjoying what really is. Some folks want a white Christmas – “it just doesn’t feel like Christmas without snow”. Others don’t know why they feel the way they do. It’s not about the color outside; they just always seem to feel blue inside this time of year.
It seems to have become a part of modern day culture – frenetic ritualistic activity performed to “try to get in the Christmas spirit”, whatever that is. Get the lights down from the attic and put them up outside around the house; set up the tree and decorate it, along with all of the rooms in the house … “nope, still don’t feel it.” Bake the cookies and do the holiday food shopping for all of those special family favorites and tasty traditions that make it more like Christmas … “still not feeling it.” Maybe it’s time to check the malls … yet, after all of the shopping is done and the presents are wrapped, everyone’s wallets are much lighter, and some people’s spirits are still heavy.
While millions of families throughout the nation 
and around the world gather to exchange gifts, share their lives and make beautiful memories, there are also millions of individuals who go home to no one. For them, holidays like Christmas are just a painful reminder that another year has passed and they are still alone. Many wrestle with painful emotions because their economic struggles have left them with much less to give to their children and loved ones.
It’s been said that, “those who are wrapped up in themselves make very small packages”. Maybe, Christmas is more about giving than getting, more about bringing joy to the world than making ourselves happy. Could it be that working to bring peace on earth and good will to all people might be a cure for the Christmas blues?
