The Meaning of Christmas Is Love, Faith and Hope by Dr. David Lipschitz on Creators.com

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The Meaning of Christmas Is Love, Faith and Hope

I write this on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I finally feel as if I have recovered from the eating, eating and more eating. And as I look forward to the holiday season, Christmas and the new year, I am sure I will eat more and spend a lot. These, together with a higher risk of depression, constitute the downside of this wonderful time of the year. But the upside is substantial.

I doubt anything is more important than gathering with our loved ones, despite the occasional spat and inevitable family conflict. Nothing feels better to me than welcoming my children home, hugging them and telling them how much I love and miss them. These feelings of love not only improve and uplift my spirits but help assure a long and independent life. Men who are in long-standing, loving and monogamous relationships live 10 years longer on average than single men. In women, life expectancy is prolonged by three years.

Love is a powerful element of spirituality, but so, too, are faith and hope. Compelling evidence has shown that individuals who believe in a higher power live longer and are healthier than those who do not. But it is not the religion or denomination that is important in prolonging life, but rather whether you have faith in yourself, in the goodness of others and in the future.

Hope and optimism are measures of spirituality that reduce the risk of illness and improve the ability to recover and live longer. We hope our children will grow up to be healthy, successful and happy. We hope that if we become ill, we will completely recover. If the illness is terminal, we hope we will not suffer, that we will be comfortable and at peace and surrounded by those we love. And when we think about dying, we hope we will be in a better place.

The gift of giving is a feature of a spiritual person. Research shows that volunteering prolongs life. For those over the age of 50, volunteering 14 hours a week to a good cause prolongs life expectancy by five years.

And giving money to a good cause is an insurance policy to a longer life. Decades of research have shown a link between health, quality of life and volunteering. Giving time to a good cause makes us feel like a needed part of our community and better about ourselves. Some of the benefits of volunteering include improved interpersonal relationships and self-worth, more socialization and friendships, and a sense of being productive.

As the baby boomers reach retirement age and beyond, they have the potential of revolutionizing the way we live by becoming a huge force for community support. A recent survey conducted by Hartford Financial Services found that half of all baby boomers volunteer and give money to charitable causes.

All of us, no matter what age, sex or socioeconomic status, will likely require help at some point in our lives. Today, you may be the one with the time and skills, but tomorrow you may be the beneficiary of someone else's volunteer efforts. Put your assets to work by tutoring at a public school, working at a food bank or campaigning for a cause you feel passionate about. Choose activities and groups that fit your health and schedule and, most importantly, volunteer for an organization you support. If you have the time to spare, someone can use your talents.

Spiritual people cannot bear grudges and must have the capacity to ask for and receive forgiveness. A powerful moment for me was watching a mother on TV forgive the man who in cold blood had murdered her daughter. Only by forgiving could she let go of her self-destructive, burning anger, become peaceful and move forward with her life.

No matter your faith or denomination, this is the time of the year not only to celebrate the joys of the season but also to reflect on the true message of Christmas. If you understand the importance of commitment to each other and the key elements of spirituality, rest assured the new year will promise a better, more productive and healthier life for all of us.

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at:

www.drdavidhealth.com