Its half an hour to Christmas here, and I hope I’m not to late to start writing down all the wonderful things if learnt in the past 24 hours, especially the last 2. It is only now that I understand the spirit of Christmas.

People generally remember Christmas as the day we place coniferous trees decorated with bright and colorful ornaments with presents stacked underneath the tree. We expect it to be the day where we go for long (boring) masses in church and then go to have some Xmas lollies and biscuits and cakes, with lavish Christmas lunch and dinners with the same ol’ Christmas music blaring everywhere (Read: Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” overplayed 5 times in 20 minutes. True story).

I’ve realized only a few minutes ago on Christmas eve, that the true meaning of Christmas is appreciation and gratitude. That’s right folks, being able to critically value all the positive and negatives in the events that happen during the year. It’s one day where you can meet all your friends and family that you are jealous of and feel no ill will. And only then will you appreciate the gifts that are chosen to enhance that wonderful life of ours.

Don’t be disheartened at such a joyful time of the year. Being able to objectively weigh and value all the good stuff that comes to us is a gift that not even the fat man in the red suit can put under wraps. Have a merry christmas every one.

Nat