On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus always brings many unexpected gifts to children and adults alike. As year-end approaches and winter sets in with short days and long nights, this day marks a turning point in the seasonal cycle; from December 25th onward, daylight gradually increases while nights shorten, heralding the arrival of early spring. Natural seasons have become the rhythm of folk life, and in the cold climate, Western culture has traditionally used the religious holiday of Christmas as a time for domestic reunion. Today, influenced by commercialization, it has become a global universal value, though not necessarily a spiritual one.

Christmas signifies the dawn far away, celebrating the divine birth of Jesus Christ as Savior, which has been a faith for over two millennia, laying the foundation for Western humanistic spirit and creating another brilliant civilization. In this era of declining religiosity, Christmas has become even more commercialized, and the sacred religious festival is gradually forgotten. Like all folk holidays, Christmas itself holds nothing particularly special; in France, what stands out is the multi-day bridge holiday. During this long break, people in major cities return to their families to celebrate, enjoying rich dinners or revelry with relatives and friends.

Fortunately, even family members who rarely gather in modern times still remember returning to their parents' home on this night for a reunion. This is the only special significance of Christmas in contemporary France, akin to our New Year's Eve dinner where gifts are exchanged. Children especially look forward to Santa bringing them unexpected gifts. With innocent expectations, they place their shoes under the Christmas tree, waiting for the extraordinary moment of late night or the next morning.

My family was no exception; the three of us busied ourselves with a reunion hot pot and pastries. The harmonious domestic life is precious in Paris. We eat hot pot once a year, and this year we specially invited neighbors to join us for dinner. Amidst casual conversation at the meal, a deep sense of affection and happiness prevailed. After dinner, my wife and I went to church for a late-night Mass on Christmas Eve. The cathedral was unusually crowded, offering a rare sight of diverse races gathered together, praying for peace and well-being in the world.