Don’t feel sorry for me because I’m working over Christmas

I celebrate Christmas and I have a loving family. I have my husband, my three young adult children, a sister, and in-laws with whom we can and do spend lovely holiday time. But I don’t begrudge working special holidays like Christmas and I rarely ever did. Of course, I’d rather not, but it is what it is and being upset over it wouldn’t change anything.

I can’t say that there’s something magical about working Christmas, because I don’t think there is. It’s a job, it’s work and it has to be done, whether it’s 3 o’clock in the morning or it’s December 25th. But the reason I don’t think it’s the end of the world is because December 25th is one day out of 365 and if you can’t be with your family on that exact day, who is to say that you can’t celebrate it before or after?

If you’re of faith and celebrate the birth of Christ, you can do so privately in your thoughts and, while it’s not the same as being in a church with your peers, God knows where you are and what you’re thinking.

If you celebrate a secular Christmas, the day shouldn’t be a big issue. Sure, traditions are nice, but should our lives be so centered on tradition that our heart breaks if we need to make an adjustment?

I read of a young woman who was absolutely furious that a few family members were going to spend Christmas day with another relative, a command performance, she called it. She was so angry that her tradition of the past seven years was being destroyed that she was going to call that relative to give her a piece of her mind. Is this the meaning of Christmas?

The woman had her family to celebrate on Christmas day for seven years. Does life change because on the eighth year, the plans change and she sees them another day? Is that what Christmas is supposed to be about? Your way or no way at all?

No – whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday, or even if you just enjoy the time of year, it is but a day. And the Christmas spirit is one that we should always carry with us and it allows us to love and celebrate with those around us, no matter when we are with them.

So, don’t feel sorry for me because I’m working on Christmas day. I’ll see my family on Christmas Eve. I’ll see them on Christmas night. And while you and they are enjoying Christmas day, I’ll be doing my bit to try to help others who also can’t be at home.