My Most Vivid Christmas Memories are of a Trite Nature

Sadly enough, my most vivid Christmas memories are of a trite nature. The true Christmas spirit they harp on about in TV movies? Never came across it.

My first Christmas memory is of receiving a teddy bear at age four. Then I remember how when I was in second grade I saw my mother put presents under the Christmas tree and realized there was no Santa Claus.

I wasn't shocked - I'd probably already guessed it. Then in a slideshow come more memories of disappointing presents, stock Christmas movies and ruined holiday recipes. All shallow material things.

I don't remember ever having tried to be better or more pure, nor anyone around me doing so. Yet, on second thought, maybe they're not so awful. Superficial as they may be, maybe these modern customs do serve a higher purpose.

They make us think about changing for the better, about being generous, about spreading beauty around us. We can't all be instant martyrs. We can't change overnight.

But these good thoughts, and small actions like giving presents to our family and decorating our homes plant a seed. And little by little, if we nourish it, we will be slightly better persons. That's the best that most of us can do.

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