In the time of gift receiving and giving (put in the order of importance to most people), let's talk about some of the more important things this holiday season.

Not just seeing the look on people's faces when you come home from being away, or from opening the gifts you bought them. Not just going to midnight mass or hearing about the different meanings of Christmas as told by scripture. Or even the divergence in religious belief around these holidays. instead, focus on the whole of the season, as well as the things that are left forgotten.

The Holidays are about the turn of fall into spring, when nature goes to sleep before the renewal of spring. It is a time where we are set to review upon the year that has passed. We reflect on our new years' resolutions, we start to think of our new ones, and we try to find new ways to improve upon our lives, or the lives of others. The celebration of the birth of Christ, and of the ever-lit candles of Hanukkah Menorah.

But what are the holidays about really? How about gathering with friends and family for a home-cooked meal, the unity that bonds us together through the best of times. How about celebrating the fact that we are all still here, and paying respects to those that aren't. Giving the best wishes for the ill, and congratulations for those of us that are doing well. Celebrating all that there is to celebrate.

So let's stop trying to make the holiday season the one that eclipses the entirety of the year. Make it the season that brings all of the rest of the holidays to fruition. Make it a contribution to the year, and not it's own entity. All holidays celebrate something important to life, why should those that happen at one time of the year overshadow those that come at another?

Just because things are harder, and more difficult in the winter, doesn't mean that we can't overcome. Let's celebrate our resiliency and strength, not coddle it.