What does Christmas mean to me?

What does Christmas mean to me?

Perhaps thoughts of last Christmas come to mind, the many glowing Christmas lights while visiting the Christmas market, or you feel like humming your favorite Christmas carol. Perhaps images of the Christmas tree with the lovingly decorated Christmas presents beneath it, or of the diligent cookie baking and subsequent snacking with your enthusiastic, flour-coated children, also appear in your mind's eye.

How did Christmas originate?

The winter solstice festival on December 21st or 22nd is considered the cradle of Christmas, so to speak. On this date, the return of sun and light was celebrated with particular vivacity and hope. The Romans honored the birthday of their sun god, Sol, on December 25th, and the Germanic peoples celebrated Yule, which in Scandinavian terms still means Christmas today. The joy and appreciation of light, as a turning point in the dark season, unites peoples across time.

Almost 400 years later, Christians dedicated the festival to the birth of Jesus, who, according to tradition, was born during this period. Since then, Christians have celebrated Jesus' birthday on December 25th instead of the winter solstice. Christmas is also derived from the Middle High German " ze den wihen nahten," meaning "in the consecrated, holy nights." At the heart of the religious significance of the birth of Jesus is the miracle of the incarnation of God's Son. According to the Bible, Jesus also describes himself as the " True Light, which enlightens every person. "

Christmas, with its almost 2,000 years of history, has a long history behind it. In the middle of the rather sunless winter, on the longest night of the year, Christmas is a festival of light. During Advent and the Christmas season, a particularly large number of candles and lights are lit in almost every house and town. From the design of the Advent wreath to the decoration of the Christmas tree, the lighting of candles is a beloved tradition that brings joy to the eyes of both young and old.

How can I experience Christmas anew?

So how does the true spirit of Christmas fit into your everyday life today? Christmas is certainly something very special for you this year, too. Perhaps you'd like to experience the Christmas season a little more consciously this time, in order to become more mindful of yourself and others. Perhaps this will allow you to occasionally experience the peace and quiet between everyday routine and the pressure of deadlines?

Christmas is also a time for connecting with yourself and others. Perhaps you'd like to give the gift of serenity, contemplation, and comfort. Perhaps there's also a touch of childlike wonder and a feeling of inner fulfillment. Perhaps this contemplative mood will inspire you to craft a gift or two yourself, bake or cook something delicious, and take a lovely winter walk with your children to observe the stars in the sky and search for the poinsettia.

Ideally, the Christmas light touches you so wonderfully that the inner light it ignites within you continues to shine throughout the year, allowing you to face each day with a little more fulfillment. Simply take a step back and escape the cycle of consumerism. Take some time out and write a sustainable wish list that also gives to nature. It's up to you to enjoy Christmas in holistic abundance and with inner peace.

What gifts should I give for Christmas?

You may have already noticed that many of the usual Christmas gifts are quickly forgotten and often end up lying around uselessly or exchanged after Christmas. Furthermore, they often take more from the environment than they give back. This harms nature and ultimately your health and quality of life. Harmful working conditions or avoidable conflicts over raw materials can often irreversibly disrupt the balance of nature, to which you, like all of us, belong.

You can find sustainable and exceptionally high-quality gifts for Advent and Christmas in our shinyly.shop. Feel free to browse. We've created two new categories especially for the holiday season: "Give Christmas Spirit" and "Christmas Mail." Our lovingly designed Christmas voucher also makes a perfect sustainable Christmas gift. Furthermore, the shinyly.shop has a new category for our popular and diverse baby slings and baby carrier backpacks.

Be inspired and stroll through our lovingly decorated online store. You're sure to find something for you and your loved ones. If you're missing something or have ideas for sustainable products that we can add to our shinyly.shop, please send us a message. We're open day and night for you and would love for you to find beautiful, sustainable Christmas gifts, thus giving inspiration for a good climate and a biodiverse, healthy nature.

Conclusion

Christmas is a festival of lights that celebrates the miracle of Jesus' birth and incarnation. It has a long tradition and remains a popular custom today, especially for giving gifts to loved ones. Today, it is especially important to celebrate Advent and Christmas consciously and mindfully, thereby protecting the climate and the environment. Christmas, in particular, invites us to give more enduring values, such as joy and love.