Christmas Every Day: A Reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
by Rev Robb McDonald
As the Christmas season begins, we light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love—symbols of renewal and light in a world longing for connection and compassion. For many, this is a sacred time to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. For others, it is a season of reflection, an opportunity to embrace values that transcend religious boundaries. At its core, the true spirit of Christmas is not found in the commercial trappings of the holiday but in its spiritual message: a call to generosity, kindness, and unity, resonating with people of all beliefs.
Blending Traditions: A New Perspective
This year’s Christmas season carries a deeper significance for me as I reflect on finding Christmas through new eyes. For many years, living in Toronto without family nearby, I had not celebrated Christmas in any traditional sense. I wasn’t opposed to the holiday; it simply didn’t feel the same without the familiar warmth my mother created. She had a special way of making Christmas memorable—her thoughtful traditions, the comforting aroma of holiday meals, and the joy she infused into every detail made the season feel magical. However, welcoming a young Russian immigrant into my home eight months ago has reignited a desire to celebrate this season in a meaningful way.
He arrived with little more than hope, having fled the turmoil of war. What began as an invitation for a brief stay to create a settlement plan while transitioning from a hostel, turned into a more permanent home and a shared journey of adjustment, resilience, and profound mutual learning. As the holiday season unfolds, I’ve noticed a growing excitement in him. Christmas commercials, decorations, and cheerful music spark a light in his spirit—a reminder of the universal power of this time of year. For someone experiencing his first Christmas in Canada, this season is both a cultural adjustment and a heartwarming introduction to a new way of celebrating the values of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Together, we’ve been exploring the traditions of Christmas while honoring the deeply spiritual celebration of Orthodox Christmas. This blending of customs has taught me how the universal language of love and belonging can bridge cultural divides. Our shared moments of reflection and preparation have reminded me that Christmas is not merely a date on the calendar—it is a way of living, a spirit of renewal that invites us to open our hearts and homes to one another. Through this experience, I’ve found a renewed sense of joy in decorating, baking, and reflecting on what Christmas truly means. His excitement has reignited my own, showing me how this season’s values transcend individual experiences and become a shared language of hope and renewal.
Love in Action: The Heart of Christmas
This experience has also deepened my understanding of love in action. Welcoming him into my home has taught me a profound lesson: Christmas is not just about giving gifts; it is about living the values the season represents. While I initially thought I was simply providing him a space to rebuild his life, his presence has enriched my own understanding of faith, compassion, and the transformative power of shared humanity. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, have a ripple effect, touching both the giver and the receiver. The process of helping someone else feel at home in a new place, of sharing traditions and creating memories, has illuminated the essence of Christmas: love as a verb, not just a feeling.
I wonder about the possibilities if we embraced the spirit of Christmas beyond December. Imagine if the hope, peace, joy, and love we celebrate during this season became guiding principles for our everyday lives. This idea challenges us to rethink how we approach the world, encouraging us to see the divine spark in everyone we encounter. Consider how small daily actions—offering a smile, comforting a friend, volunteering our time—could transform the lives of those around us. These seemingly simple gestures, when done with genuine love, have the power to build bridges, heal wounds, and restore faith in humanity. They remind us that the light of Christmas shines brightest when it is shared.
Carrying the Light Year-Round
Reflecting on this, I am reminded of the importance of bringing light to a world in need. Our world today is marked by division, conflict, and uncertainty. Amid such challenges, the values of Christmas—hope, peace, joy, and love—are not merely comforting; they are essential. These values invite us to respond to darkness not with despair but with light, not with apathy but with action. This year, I’ve seen firsthand how embracing these principles can create profound change. Housing someone in need, sharing a meal, or simply being present for someone struggling can bring immense healing. When we choose to act with compassion and generosity, we become bearers of the Christmas spirit, not just for a season but for every day.
As we move forward, let us answer a call to carry the light. This Christmas season, as we gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and enjoy the warmth of the season, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on its deeper meaning. Let the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love inspire you to embrace the season not as a single event but as a way of living. Think about what it means to live with hope. It is more than wishing for better days; it is believing in the possibility of renewal and working toward it. Consider peace—not just the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony, both within ourselves and in our relationships. Reflect on joy, which arises not from material abundance but from a heart grateful for life’s simple blessings. And love—love that is selfless, courageous, and unwavering—stands at the heart of it all, the ultimate gift we can offer to one another.
When we carry the light of Christmas in our hearts, we become beacons of hope and compassion in a world yearning for unity and healing. Together, we can create a world where every day feels like Christmas—a world defined by generosity, kindness, and love.
Reflecting on the journey I’ve had with my new friend; I am reminded that Christmas is not just a time of year but a state of mind and a way of life. The excitement we share in discovering and blending our traditions has been a beautiful reminder that the essence of this season is found in our connections, the love we share, and the new memories we create. From decorating the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments to baking traditional holiday treats brings a deeper meaning to the holiday, showing me that the spirit of Christmas lives in the everyday acts of kindness and love that we share.
Incorporating the values of hope, peace, joy, and love into our daily lives can have a transformative impact on our communities. When we live with hope, we inspire others to believe in the possibility of a brighter future. When we foster peace, we create environments where harmony and understanding can flourish. When we find joy in the simple pleasures of life, we spread positivity and lift the spirits of those around us. And when we practice love in our actions and interactions, we build a foundation of trust, compassion, and unity that strengthens our bonds and enriches our lives.
A Challenge for Us All
This Advent, I challenge you to consider how we can carry the light of Christmas into every day of the year. How can we make hope, peace, joy, and love the cornerstones of our lives? Perhaps it’s by being more intentional in our acts of kindness, by taking the time to listen and support those around us, or by seeking opportunities to serve our communities in meaningful ways. Each of us has the power to make a difference, to be a light in the darkness, and to contribute to a world where the spirit of Christmas is felt all year long.
As we light the candles of Advent, let each flame remind us of our commitment to live out these values. Let hope guide our steps, peace fill our hearts, joy uplift our spirits, and love inspire our actions. May this season be a time of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the principles that make Christmas such a special and transformative time. And as we move forward, let us carry the light of Christmas into the new year, spreading hope, peace, joy, and love in all that we do.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. May its light guide us all, today and always.
