Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of

"Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone." These words, spoken by the wise Taylor Caldwell, echo a profound truth about the human experience: the weight of the past can often bind us, shackling us to old wounds, regrets, and memories. Yet, it is in the present moment that life is truly lived, and in the very act of living, we must refuse to let the shadows of yesterday rob us of today’s light. Christmas, the celebration of hope and renewal, is the reminder that no matter our burdens, we are never alone.

The past is a powerful force. It shapes us, yes, but it also haunts us. In every corner of the mind, memories linger, some joyful, others painful. How often do we find ourselves looking back with regret, or longing for a time that has passed, only to forget that time moves forward, and we must move with it? The present is a gift, as the ancients would say, and to waste it on what has already been is to dishonor the precious moment in which we now live. For if we are constantly anchored in yesterday, how can we ever reach toward tomorrow? Let us remember that the past is but a fleeting shadow; it has passed, and we must not allow it to steal the bright future that is unfolding before us.

This lesson is echoed in the story of the prodigal son, a tale known by many, but whose meaning resonates deeply with Caldwell's words. The son, having squandered his inheritance, returns home to a father who embraces him with open arms, full of love and forgiveness. The father's words, "Your brother was dead and is alive again," remind us that the past, with all its mistakes, cannot define us forever. Forgiveness—from others and from ourselves—frees us to live fully in the present. When we are weighed down by regret, we fail to see the love and companionship that surrounds us, especially in times of hardship.

In the darkest of winters, we may feel isolated, believing that our burdens are too heavy to bear, that we are alone in our suffering. But Christmas—the birth of hope and light into a cold world—teaches us that we are never alone. The gift of togetherness is one of life’s greatest blessings. The story of Christ’s birth, humble and quiet, reminds us that even in the most unlikely of places, love can find its way to us. The angels’ chorus that announced his birth was not just a song of praise, but a message to the world: that we are not abandoned. Even in the moments of greatest darkness, there is light.

Let us recall the great historical figures who, though burdened by their pasts, chose to live in the present and find their strength in the face of adversity. Nelson Mandela, after spending 27 years in prison, emerged not with bitterness, but with a vision of peace and unity. He did not let his past steal his present, but instead used his hardships as the fuel for a brighter future for his country. Mandela’s forgiveness, his refusal to be shackled by the past, and his belief that together—as a people united—there was hope, echo the very message of Christmas: that we are never alone.

The message of Christmas is not simply the recounting of an ancient story, but the understanding that in every moment, we have the capacity to choose joy over despair, peace over conflict, and connection over isolation. It is a call to action, urging us to let go of what has already passed, and to embrace the life we are given in the here and now. Each present moment is a gift, and it is through the embrace of this gift that we find true freedom and fulfillment.

The lesson here, then, is clear: do not let the past steal your present, for it is in the present that you are alive. Let go of regret, for it holds you captive. Embrace today, for it is all that you truly have. And most importantly, remember that in the darkest hours, in times of sorrow and pain, we are never alone. Love surrounds us, both in the seen and unseen, and through each other, we find the strength to carry on. Let us cherish the present, for it is where life unfolds, and it is in togetherness, in the warmth of companionship, that we find our true strength. Live fully, and live now, for the present is a gift that is ours to shape.