My family was watching A Christmas Carol the other night (the one starring Jim Carrey) and I was struck by how Scrooge pledged–and then kept–a promise to keep the spirit of Christmas all year round. I absolutely loved that idea. How I long to be Christmas to others at all times of the year and to feel that Christmas joy as well.
Those scenes led me to examine what it means to “keep Christmas all year.” While Christmas is a holiday of hope for all people, the “spirit” of the day is probably best explained as being cheery and joyous. I am sometimes that, but more often I’m at the whim of my emotions, like Sakura of Cardcaptor Sakura. In each and every episode, she’s up and the she’s down and then she’s up again. Sakura is a strong and kind girl, but she’s very human that way.
Sakura’s best friend, though, is a lot more steady and constant. Tomoyo exhibits this kind of spirit–she is always supporting, always cheering on her friend. Even when occasionally down, she still has this countenance about her that is wondrous and heartfelt. She is positively Scrooge-like (post-ghosts visit, of course).
Ultimately, I’m not sure I can ever be like Tomoyo: I’m too impatient, too prideful, and too selfish to always pour out that kind of kindness to others Even during the season, its often hard to show that spirit, but I think it’s still a good goal to work toward. I may be more Sakura now (not that there isn’t a ton of goodness in her), but I want to be like Tomoyo in the future, to have that Christmasy spirit. And maybe that isn’t beyond my grasp after all, for the power to be like Christmas is found in the reason for that day itself, in the hope provided by the one, the only one, that can change me into someone more than I could otherwise possibly be.
—
Stream Cardcaptor Sakura on Crunchyroll!