What is Christmas?

" "What is Christmas?" the little child asked. Is it sleigh bells and pretty trees and Santa at last? Is it clothes; like socks, undies and things? Or is it new toys, like trikes, bikes and dollies, that this "Santa Claus" brings? "Does he bring the snow?" on the ground so white? Is there really a twinkle in his eye, on Christmas night? Daddy can you answer, can you tell me please? What does Christmas really, really mean?"

Well, Daddy he pondered, he thought before he spoke. He didn't want to lie. He didn't want to joke. He didn't want to damage an innocent dream. So he sought in his heart for the right answer, it seemed.

"Christmas is love for all living things. For puppies and ponies and kittens too. It's kindness to the elderly, Papa and Gran. For the poor and the lonely; sweethearts with rings. Christmas is a special time for every woman and man. For beautiful, innocent children all over the world. Even for babies, in countries ravaged by war.

Christmas isn't Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. Christmas isn't a day; it's a time for one and for all. A time to spread love, good will and cheer. It's a time for feasting and laughter and tears. A time to put away all sorrow and fear. If only for a moment to think of others, our peers.

But the greatest meaning of Christmas is love. The only real gift that comes from above. It cannot be boxed or wrapped with a bow. It flows from the heart to everyone we know. It cannot be bought, but can be given away. Christmas should be Christmas, every day.

Christmas is free, It cannot be bought, nor can it be sold. The Christmas price was paid, long, long ago. Paid by a baby, the great God in man. That is Christmas, do you understand? The little child amazed, with eyes so bright, looked upon her Dad with sheer delight. She had heard of three wise men at her Sunday school that day. But they could never be as wise as her Daddy; nor as cool.