The Magic of Christmas

Article by Aspen Wooley

What is it about Christmas that makes it so magical? The lights? The snow? The gifts? Maybe it has to do with the comfort of home or friends. Part of the magic comes from age-old traditions that remind us of the season. People around the world celebrate, and BYU Honors students are no exception.

We asked you, our Honors students, what some of your favorite traditions are. Thank you for sharing with us! Here are some of the delightful responses:

· Sankt Nikolaus Tag! We get ornaments and candy in one shoe and a letter from Santa in the other.
· Christmas Eve posada (party!)
· Caroling!
· Cookies for Santa with our family heirloom cookie press
· Getting Christmas pajamas!
· I love reading the Christmas story out of the scriptures with my family on Christmas Eve.
· Making empanadas with my family
· Driving around and looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve
· Buying different Christmas ornaments anytime we travel
· Christmas breakfast or Christmas Eve pajamas!

All of these traditions continue the magic of Christmas year after year. From the fun and simple Christmas pajamas to the significance of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, joy and cheer are upheld. Wherever students go, Christmas celebrations carry on. The activities of the season are not limited to time away from school, they begin even while at BYU!

This is how some students celebrate Christmas at BYU:

· Surviving finals season
· Decorating my apartment with my roomies
· Seeing the lights and decorations on campus!
· Watching silly Christmas movies with my friends
· Attending the Christmas tree lighting this year!

These moments contribute to the magic of Christmas just as beloved traditions do. Celebrating at BYU rings in the holiday season amidst the stress of finals and ending another semester.

Time spent with others is another way we find the magic of Christmas. In a poll about who the holidays are best spent with, the overwhelming majority of students said family! 89% prefer to spend this time with family, while 8% said joining friends, and 3% their community. The love that is spread among people during the holiday season is one of the main answers to what makes Christmas so magical. This love for others motivates a sweet tradition that carries through many different places: giving gifts.

Although many people love to receive gifts, and this is a fun and joyful part of Christmas, giving truly allows magic to enter hearts. In polling about gifts, 74% of students responded that they would rather give than receive! Finding ways to spread cheer to others comes to the forefront of many activities and traditions at this time of year. Looking outward and giving to others always leads to greater joy, and this season of celebration presents the perfect opportunity to do so. These acts of giving and love contribute to the magic of Christmas and allow reflection of what this season really is all about. Just like the wise men in the story of Christ’s birth, we too can show our appreciation for those we know and complete strangers through giving gifts.

Although traditions, celebrations, and presents contribute to the magic of Christmas, there is still one other thing that truly makes this time so special. The word “Christmas” originates from the Old English “Cristes mæsse,” which translates to "Christ's Mass.” This word focuses us on what this holiday is all about. Jesus Christ taught and exemplified charity and treating others with respect. By spreading light during the holidays, we are able to help others feel this love and continue the magic each year.

Students unanimously shared that they remember Christ at Christmas through music. “I love Christmas hymns!” one said. “I think songs are really important and key for me in keeping Christ at the center!” another student shared. Remembering where the real magic and light come from at Christmas can be as simple as hearing a song about the baby Jesus, or helping someone else.

Christmas as a one-day event is fun and has lots of magic, but as a season there is so much magic to be found. Whether it is through lights and decorations, or the birth of Jesus Christ and giving, the magic of Christmas shines through it all. BYU students find true magic through slowing down and remembering who this celebration actually is all about.

Merry Christmas!