Every year, December rolls around, bringing with it the greatest time of all. The season includes Winter break, which offers a much-needed rest from an otherwise demanding term, as well as Christmas. This holiday takes shape through sensory items such as the aroma of pine trees and fresh cookies wafting through the air, streets illuminated by houses adorned with glistening lights, and even gifts — sometimes coal — nestled under the tree. Yet Christmas is also so much more — it’s a wave of festiveness that pervades us all and generates an abundance of joy and wonder.
Despite its intrinsic nature, Christmas magic has begun to disappear, eroded by newfound responsibilities and cynicism. What was once a season of enchantment and limitless joy has dwindled, reduced to an insipid imitation of its former self, celebrated more as a formality than with genuine enthusiasm. Nevertheless, if we realign ourselves with the true spirit of Christmas during the holidays by embracing moments of genuine joy, we can rediscover its wonder and delight.
As a child, it would seem as if the entire year was merely a prelude to Christmas, existing solely to reinvigorate the holiday spirit. In the days leading up to the occasion, seemingly everyone would suspend all their obligations and immerse themselves in festive activities; my class would engage in traditions like gingerbread house decorating competitions, watching Christmas movies, and doing holiday arts and crafts. In the final stretches leading up to Christmas Day, namely Christmas Eve, all I wanted was for time to skip so I could finally experience what I had anticipated all year. On the 24th, I would go to bed early, and after what appeared like a lifetime of coaxing my brain to fall asleep until it could not resist anymore, I slipped away into the deep bounds of night. Sometime during the night, Santa would leave my gift beneath the tree, and in the morning, I would wake up groggy and sluggish, before being struck by the realization: “Today is Christmas!” I would race over to the tree and tear the wrapping off my gift, which I had so specially requested. Younger Vedant believed that Christmas Day — as a matter of fact, all the days preceding it — could never be tainted by the clutches of time, that it would always preserve the same magic and elation; to say the least, he was wrong.
This year, Christmas seemed as if it was merely appended to the beginning of break for the namesake. In the days leading up to the holiday, everyone continued their work. In one of my classes, we had our first test, and in another we had a portfolio of homework assignments. As a child, responsibilities were often more lenient and less critical, making it acceptable to prioritize celebrating the holidays over them. With age and high school, such leniency dissipates, and fulfilling responsibilities becomes paramount. On the 24th, I almost forgot that the following day was Christmas! That night, I slept late and fell asleep instantly. Sometime during the night, Santa had left my sister’s gift under the tree. But not mine; due to the cynicism that comes with age, Santa had turned into a fictitious tale, and everything tied to him lost its allure. I woke up the next morning and proceeded with my daily routine until I realized, “Wait, today is Christmas!” I walked over to the tree and saw my sister’s face light up as she ripped open her gift. Her excitement served as a bittersweet reminder of the same magic I once felt, now out of reach. I continued celebrating Christmas throughout the day, but more in a perfunctory manner than with excitement. After the day ended, my sights turned to New Year’s, and the supposedly unforgettable Christmas magic quietly faded into the deep recesses of memory.
Irrespective of how I felt before, Christmas is not something that can disappear. While the sensory elements — such as the fragrance of pine trees and fresh cookies, street blocks brightened by houses ornamented with sparkling lights, or the gifts awaiting eager hands beneath the tree — can fade with time, Christmas is also a spirit and something that remains with us eternally. As “The Polar Express” reminds us, “Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” Though responsibility and cynicism can sometimes shroud the essence of Christmas, we merely have to lift our hand to remove its veil and welcome the joy and magic that will come rushing back, as robust as ever. While I couldn’t fully embrace Christmas this year, I promise next year will be different; I envision enjoying the little moments that shape this holiday. Perhaps Christmas can never be the same as it was when I believed in Santa, because things rarely stay the same, but its essence will eternally remain just as magical.
