At Christmas, we generally think of getting together with friends and family to have a great time. No one complains about a few days off from work to visit friends and family. Hopefully, you look forward to such a time, and you can appreciate the warm symbolism of the Angels and Santa Claus! Being with friends during the holidays can be quite therapeutic, especially since the laughter and the smiles soothe tension from work and other life issues.

If you find it difficult to get along with others or if there are any other issues you can work on, the Christmas Season is an excellent time to bring the change you need!

Sometimes it only takes desire and acceptance of an issue to affect personal change. Jesus saw problems and suggested practical ways in which to solve them, ways such as loving one’s brother as oneself and more. Everyone is different so each person’s challenges differ.

It will take some brainstorming, serious thought, prayer, and/or meditation in order to get in touch with one’s own issues. The Christmas Season exists in part to urge us to take a long look at ourselves and evaluate what we wish to accomplish.

We can all look to Christ as an example of forgiveness and acceptance of those around us.

We can emulate Christ’s generosity. He gave of himself and he provided bread and wine for those who needed it. He said to judge not one’s brother unless one also wishes to be similarly judged. This might mean that we should not set higher standards for others than we set for ourselves.

More than anything else, Christ knew that it was wise to forgive. Besides, if we can forgive others and put the past behind us, we will probably feel much better and become a little bit healthier than we would otherwise be.

Forgiving the actions of others does not mean that one need be foolish. It is a way of opening up to the possibility that God gives others the chance to evolve and to change for the better.

During the Christmas Season, we should all be mindful of the lonely people, young and old, who need to receive a positive word from us. By simply greeting another person in a cheerful way, we can bring about great changes in that person’s life.

For all we know, there might be an individual who is on the verge of making a severe mistake, but a few kind words coming from your mouth can rehabilitate another person. A cruel word and unkindness can have the opposite effect upon a person, especially a young person who needs to have his or her self-image built up.

It is reasonable to say that using kind and controlled language, would be wise and that this would be an issue to work on this holiday season if one is not already in the habit of speaking kindly.

Other suggestions for making positive changes include finding time for family, taking time off for rest, utilizing creativity to stimulate the mind, eating healthily, cutting down on sugar, getting more exercise, having a spiritual routine, and sharing with others.

Each individual knows what he or she needs to do to bring about positive change. It is not going to be easy and the holidays do present their challenges. Perhaps one might think of Christmas as a milestone that marks the arrival of change symbolized through the birth of an innocent child with innovative ideas of forgiveness.

The symbols have positive relevance and inspire goodwill. Santa Claus symbolizes generosity, the reindeer symbolize a group effort, the elves symbolize manual dexterity, and the snowflakes symbolize the beauty in differences.

These imaginative visual symbols remind us of how we can be co-creators of our own lives with a little extra effort, good will, and determination.

We can only be expected to try our best, to be gentle with our own souls, and if we make even a little positive change this Christmas, it will go a long way in the future!

In order to effect the change, we can do a good deed every day from now until next Christmas! Do not be like Scrooges, but let us hear those metaphorical Angels of Christmas past, present, and future. Your New Bright Future!