My husband and I moved to our home several months ago. Because of some work that needed to be done, we have had our bed set up in the living room for three months now. Boxes and furniture are still piled around in a most disorderly manner. The Christmas season is here and it is time to decorate but what now?

This got me to think in a larger way about the real significance of the Christmas holiday season. Is it only about lights, decorations, shopping at the mall or is there some deeper, more meaningful way to celebrate?

If Christmas celebrates the appearing of Christ to mankind, what might be a truly substantial way to commemorate this event? As I generally do when faced with a perplexing situation, I prayed.

Beneath the materialistic trappings of Christmas lies its basis-the birth of Jesus, the celebration of the appearing of the Christ, truth to mankind. Christmas celebrates more than a human nativity. The substance of Jesus’ life brought enlightenment, health, hope and a sense of each individual’s oneness with God. It does have to do with peace. It has very little to do with tinsel and excessive materialism.

My prayer affirmed what I’ve known, that my thoughts of home expand far beyond a building and focus more on things like warmth, acceptance, joy, harmony and peace. And who doesn’t think these qualities desirable no matter where one happens to be or who he or she happens to be with? Those qualities are alive and present even when we’re alone.

Many people yearn at the holiday season to spend time with family and friends. This past year particularly, disastrous events have left hundreds of thousands of people in the world without shelter. Lives have been disrupted, loved one lost and families separated. What is the Christmas message in the face of all of this?

The Christmas story in the Bible inspires me. With a single star to light the way and alert shepherds, wise men found their way to a humble stable. Mary Baker Eddy says, “I celebrate Christmas-as the birth of Truth, the dawn of divine Love breaking upon the gloom of matter and evil with the glory of infinite being.” This is what the shepherds and the wise men found at the end of their journey. My prayer is that each one, no matter what their situation, will find the same.

Even with the mess in our living room-in fact, in spite of the mess in my living room–this is what I plan to find in my home and my heart this Christmas season.

Sharon Wootton may be contacted at [email protected].