Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is one of those quintessential Christmas movies that you can never escape during this time of the year.
The story has been translated from book to screen dozens of times throughout the decades, showing just how poignant and evergreen it is.
It is one of the very few literary artefacts of our time that truly captures the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. Its message of charity, gratitude, hope, community and love lives on till today in films and movies.
You can embrace these Christmas values even if you’re not religious or a Christian, for they exist within every human being and should not only be observed during the holiday season but throughout the year.
Here are just some that you simply must cultivate in your home and teach your kids.
Charity
Charity is the selfless act of philanthropy. This extends beyond simple gift giving but also donations to the less fortunate, volunteer work and even spreading awareness.
If there is a cause that is near and dear to your heart, don’t forget to advocate for it this Christmas. And charity extends far beyond money too, or possessions although those are usually most preferred.
You can also provide donations in the form of kindness, empathy and understanding—all important traits to encourage.
Hope
Speaking of hope, one thing that many Christmas movies have in common is the message of optimism. The disillusioned adult believes in magic again, the heartbroken child experiences a Christmas miracle.
Christmas above all else is a time of emotional and spiritual healing. Whether that’s healing your familial ties through visitations, or healing your inner child by rekindling that innocent sense of wonder you’ve lost.
Sometimes being an adult can make us feel empty and numb and Christmas is the time to renew our love for life.
While kids may not yet lose their innocence, helping them continue to be hopeful for better days ahead is important. Even if it’s merely entertaining their belief in Santa Claus for a while.
Gratitude
Just like Thanksgiving, Christmas is also about gratitude. Whether that’s gratitude for your loved ones, your blessings and of course, for the pure, simple joy of being alive.
Gratitude really puts things in perspective when we’re at our lowest. And December may at times be a month full of introspection and usually also of regret.
But it’s important to remember that through all the trials and tribulations of the previous month, we arise from the frost even stronger, ready to experience all the joys and sorrows of another year.
Teach your kids to be grateful this Christmas season by helping them recall all the happy and auspicious moments they’ve experienced throughout the year.
Community
You can’t celebrate Christmas without family, and that includes ‘found family’, for those who did not grow up in conventional households.
But the message of belongingness doesn’t just begin and end with people within our immediate close circle of loved ones. It is a message of inclusivity, of acceptance of the minority, the marginalised, the forgotten and the voiceless.
To give these fringe communities and individuals a seat at the table. After all, in the eyes of God, we are all equal, despite our wealth, status or lineage.
So, teach your kids the value of community by encouraging them to befriends other kids from all walks of life.
Love
One of the most important Christmas values, love does indeed conquer all.
And this includes every kind of love, maternal, paternal, romantic, platonic, and of course, universal. The kind of love that breaks borders and touches every soul.
The love for strangers in parts of the world you’ve never been to, the love for the planet and the animals and all the living things that live on it.
This is what’s known in Christianity as ‘agape’ or cosmic/spiritual love. The love of your fellow man and the love of yourself, despite all the flaws and imperfections.
Encourage love in your children by showering them with your own unconditional affection.
Honour the Christmas Spirit
Whether you cultivate these Christmas values through books, movies and yes, ideally, through everyday acts, it is important to remember that children often model after their parents.
So, before instilling any positive habits within your kids, make sure they are alive within yourself first. Whether its altruism, optimism or acceptance.
A single act of selflessness can ripple throughout time and space, transforming lives and bringing much needed change to our world. And all it takes is a little Christmas spirit.
Motherhood wishes you and yours a Merry Chrismas and a Happy New Year!
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