By Caitlin Kelly

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Pretty much every person in the U.S. is familiar with Dec. 25 and its traditions, whether or not they choose to celebrate the holiday. The days, or months rather, leading up to it involve seasonal music playing throughout department stores, holiday movies airing constantly on television and people getting into that overall “Christmas spirit.” It seems as if goodwill can balloon tenfold during this period but we can’t rely on one holiday to make up for the areas in which we fall short of during the year.

As a young child, I always felt like Christmas was a day filled with magic. I remember anxiously going to sleep on Christmas Eve and waking up early in the morning to see what gifts Santa had left for my sister and me. On Christmas day, I would attend family gatherings at my aunt’s house and we would enjoy each other’s company. I loved those days, it was as if nothing could go wrong simply because of the date.

At least in my experiences, it seems as though good cheer can be infectious around this time of year. Even for those who don’t celebrate the holiday, it gives them an opportunity to take a break from a busy work schedule that can take over their lives.

Besides the extra time to relax, a big part of the holidays is the opportunity to give to the needy and support those who may have a harder time during the holiday season. Red tins accompanied by bell ringers are often seen outside of grocery stores and people have the opportunity to “make a difference” by paying 5 dollars to feed a child breakfast for a week.

I suppose it’s nice when people get bitten by the giving bug, but when the effect wears off as soon as Christmas is over, the act is no longer as sincere. We shouldn’t feel proud of ourselves for being generous at one time of the year, but rather for a continuous effort to be kind to others.

Giving someone a gift one day and never taking the initiative to reach out to them again will not build a strong relationship. Donating a few dollars to charity and disregarding those in need for the rest of the year is not going to eliminate poverty. Believing that magic will happen simply because it’s Christmas will not change the world.

It seems that people have this idea that Christmas can break barriers and end suffering, but in reality we must take action ourselves all year round. Even if Christmas holds more significance for some than for others, it’s ultimately the same as any other day: after all, it’s 24 hours long, starts with a sunrise and ends with a sunset. Therefore, we must put in the same effort for its 364 counterparts.

I enjoy the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean it’s a day where everything can be put on hold. It is the conscious effort to create change that will actually make it happen; it can and should be that way any other day of the year.