This Christmas season will be the most unique Christmas season in our lifetime. With nearly the entire globe still on a COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, very few people will be traveling this Christmas, but there’s no reason to have a lonely Christmas. Christmas is a holiday of family, thankfulness, and joy, and although this Christmas will certainly be different, we can still ensure that we approach the holiday with joyful spirits and a thankful heart that we survived one of the hardest years of our lifetime. As we enter the Christmas holiday, there are plenty of key things we should all remember.
You can still travel.
Although bureaucrats in Washington D.C. may tell you differently, you are well within your right as a citizen of the freest nation on Earth to travel this Christmas season. We live in an age of free, fast, and convenient COVID-19 testing, and while politicians take their private jets on vacation, they tell you to skip seeing your family this Christmas. With the hypocrisy of politicians during Thanksgiving, we are assured that politicians think they can force you to stay at home while they get tested for COVID-19 once an hour.
For those unfamiliar, Business Insider wrote an article describing several politicians who were hypocritical when refusing to follow COVID-19. I would encourage everyone to read the article. An example within the article is regarding California governor Gavin Newsom. Business Insider reports, “Newsom was slammed for attending a large indoor gathering—a birthday party for one of his top advisors, lobbyist Jason Kinney—at The French Laundry, an upscale restaurant with three Michelin stars in Napa Valley. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Nov. 6 gathering involved 12 people total from different households, while the state’s own guidance limited gatherings to people from no more than three households.” (1) This hypocrisy is pathetic and disgusting, and anyone who defends his actions or actions similar to his are just as pathetic. We have rights, and politicians telling us what to do and not following their own standards is truly disgusting.
COVID-19 is still real.
With my previous section telling people they can still travel, some may think that I am a COVID-19 denier. In fact, although I am not perfect in taking every and all precautions, I attempt to take all necessary precautions which means wearing a mask around extended family who may be high-risk. I do so, so I can keep my family safe and ensure they are healthy. For people who do not have family nearby, they may have no choice but to travel to see them. For those people, I am understanding and hope they’ll get tested before they leave and when they come back, and wear a mask around high-risk family members. COVID-19 is serious, but if we take healthy precautions and not act hysterical, then we can overcome the virus together as a nation.
Don’t forget the essence of Christmas.
Christmas is one of the most joyful times of the year. Whether you’re a secular Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, or an Atheist, the feeling of joy during Christmas is universal. Although I didn’t wish Christmas was commercialized, if shopping during Christmas brings you joy, then, by all means, I encourage you to do so. Yes, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, my personal Lord and Savior, but Christmas may be joyful to other people for many other reasons, and that is totally fine. Christmas is for community, love, family and just to appreciate life. Don’t forget what Christmas is all about. We will get through this pandemic and we will do so together.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays.
(1)https://www.businessinsider.com/democratic-politicians-who-violated-covid-19-rules-guidance-list-2020-12#california-gov-gavin-newsom-2