How American and Czech Christmas is the same.

When I first came to the Czech Republic I experienced Christmas in a different way from the American celebration.

Different food

Different films

Different day

Different everything

Except one main thing.

The love, care and compassion that people have towards friends and family.

In both countries Christmas is a joyful time.

I think there are two things that make Christmas what many call  "the happiest time of year"

1. You are moving in a direction
2. You are doing something for other people (like giving gifts).

When you are moving in a direction, your body, your mind - they like it. You feel like you have purpose, meaning and fulfillment.

In a way that's what Christmas gives. After all the preparations and organization Christmas is here and you can celebrate. There's this sense of fulfillment.

As for doing something for others. I think most will agree kids seem to have the most joy and life out of Christmas. For parents especially they do it for the children. And giving children even more joy is definitely something to look forward to.

What I hope you can do, through this Christmas (especially because of the circumstances we face this year) is really take the time to enjoy. Don't just prepare. Don't just do it for others (although that brings even more joy). Take a moment and see how people are coming together. See how we love, care and reach out. That's where the joy really is. And the preparations brings it about.

Taking joy in this will bring so much more joy from the Christmas celebration itself.