CONTEST: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - 12/24/2021

1.- What do I see?
A small pine tree with typical white Christmas lights, lying in the middle of the street, 2 stones at the base of the tree holding it, the light from the lamp post illuminates the path and the steps leading to another sector, in a night with a sky full of stars and white snow falling like a rain of frost.

What do I feel?
The feelings mixed with joy and sadness are awakened, typical of Christmas days, the cold that says that December has arrived and Christmas is approaching, the time when many decide to forget the fights, make peace and enjoy a few days of harmony, forgiveness, peace, love and union.

3.- The story

The Christmas tree

Traditionally in the homes of the United States of America a very appreciated guest is present, all the members of the family welcome him, he is received with open arms, the smiles drawn on the lips are not made to wait, the hearts vibrant with joy, the adrenaline is increased and the energy that is experienced is the product of the guest who makes the triumphant entrance to the house, he has been anxiously awaited since the beginning of December and this tradition has spread to most homes in Latin American countries.

In the different countries Christmas parties are celebrated where the guest of honor occupies a special place in the living room of each home, the most beautiful decorations are chosen to dress the guest elegantly, it is important that he is the one that stands out the most with his impeccable appearance and the brightness given off by the colored lights carefully placed around him, from the pinnacle to the base that supports him.

The star full of glitter crowns the summit of the guest of honor, while at the base is spread a carpet on which will be in some cases the boxes lined with gift wrapping paper, specially prepared but empty.

The running from one side to the other to do last minute shopping, and the work of preparing the food that is traditionally served at the Christmas table, is usually for some people a source of joy and for others a source of great stress.

The small Christmas tree lying in the middle of the street, represents the breaking of beautiful traditions but lacking the true meaning.
Christmas is not an emblematic tree decorated with lights, it is not gifts, I am not saying that it is not good to do it, I am saying that it should not be the center.

The reason for the joy and the investment in so many details in the making of a party, which lasts only a few hours and after that is totally forgotten, should not be a Christmas tree, neither the food that will be enjoyed that night, much less the gifts that will be given to each other in the best of cases.

In many homes there are no gifts, no Christmas dinner, no party, no hugs, no smiles, no joy, no forgiveness, no harmony, no love.

Christmas is a day to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who one day was born as one of us to take our place on the cross to save our lives for eternity.

Christmas is a time to reconcile, to leave behind fights, to reconsider our bad attitudes with other family members and people close to our heart, it is a time to start again to give hugs with sincerity, to give smiles that say I am glad you are here with me, it is a time to thank God that we have imperfect people just like us that are part of our family and with them to celebrate God, to celebrate life, to celebrate health, to celebrate love.

It doesn't matter if it is with a glass of water and a piece of bread, the important thing is that we have each other and God is with us.

I wish everyone a new and Merry Christmas!