Christmas is all warmth and kindness. No other holiday puts us in such a special mood or brings so much emotion. And it is this way all over the world, with the sole difference that here, our pre-Christmas shopping and festive moods are not yet accompanied by illuminated shop windows, colourful neon signs, colourful Christmas trees set up in the main squares, or atmospheric music in the shops.
And by the way: couldn’t we—starting modestly this year—try decorating our old town with at least some coloured light bulbs? Perhaps the Merchants’ Association, together with the Society of Bolesławiec Enthusiasts, could announce a competition for the best Christmas shop window display?
We usually begin preparing for Christmas (apart from cleaning, of course) by sending greeting cards. In some years there are too many of them, while in others (as, for example, last year in Bolesławiec) there are none at all, or only a limited selection.
Year by year, buying gifts for our loved ones is becoming easier: books are published in ever more attractive editions and in a wide thematic selection; radio and television shops are full of goods; and household-goods shops, lingerie shops, drugstores and others are well stocked.
Only from the stories of their elders, especially their grandparents, can the youngest learn about the difficulties once associated with obtaining citrus fruit, Christmas ham or traditional carp in the now-distant past... Let us be fair: the times before Christmas have changed decisively for the better. If only there were a little more of that dear money... Unfortunately, not everyone has enough money to make satisfactory purchases. In many homes, very modest presents will be found under the Christmas tree, and a portion of overly expensive carp will be symbolic in size.
So, in these difficult times, let us think of people whose concern about an ordinary post-holiday day will disrupt the mood of Christmas Eve supper and the Christmas tree—a day that grows longer the closer it gets to the day when their pension or retirement benefit is paid. Let us think now, before we sit down at the festive table. Perhaps a gift of a dress we no longer wear or a toy put away in the cellar would bring someone joy? Perhaps there would be room at our table for a lonely person, often from our own family?
The festive season is the best time for mutual forgiveness, putting grievances aside and exchanging good wishes. Let us look around us: the world really “isn’t so bad,” as the lyrics of a well-known song say. And Bolesławiec is a beautiful city—we can be proud to live here. Let us simply be kinder and more considerate to one another. Let us forget grievances, prejudices, differences of opinion and little ambitions. Let us restore smiles to our faces and kindness to our hearts. Let us wish one another strength to endure difficult days and live to see better ones. For everyone. Let us remember with emotion those with whom we will no longer be able to share the Christmas wafer, and wish health and happiness to those who remain.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!