Christmas is a perennial observance of many different faces.

It's a holiday so deeply entrenched that we not only celebrate it, but measure time by it.The Christmas holiday magnifies the wonder of all things wonderful. But it also can heighten the hurt in all things hurtful.It varies in accordance with circumstances in our lives.For that reason, Christmas paints a varied canvas and has many faces. It can be a warm, jubilant Norman Rockwell painting or it can be the "The Scream," the expressionism nightmare.For children, it's about Santa, toys and happy things. Santa is a time-honored face of Christmas.But for many, the holidays are stressful.Some counselors say more marriages dissolve over Christmas than any other time of the year.In England, lawyers point out that more marital separations occur in early January than any other time, reflecting domestic turmoil over the holidays.Some psychologists say the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas and into mid-January is the most stressful time.Part of the reason, I suppose, is that many people don't experience the picture-perfect Christmas portrayed in media advertising.That's because Christmas is colored by events in life. And not all of those events are joyous. For many, the most tragic family experiences happened at Christmas.I remember someone telling me when I was young, "Christmas can be very sad for older people."At the time, I didn't understand. But I do now.By middle age and beyond, many of us have lost loved ones, parents and soul mates, maybe even children, too.Those events change lives. And when lives change in a major way, the celebration of Christmas changes.Christmas can turn into a profoundly lonesome time.I see Christmas as the saddest time of the year. Our deepest wounds don't heal just because December has arrived.It's just the opposite, especially when December is the anniversary of bad things.One way to deal with sadness is to become absorbed with other people, and do things to feel connected with the world around.One Christmas I volunteered to ring the kettle bell for the Salvation Army. Another time I felt inspired to travel to a nearby town to photograph interesting architecture.It's always helpful to focus on something positive and constructive, even if it's household chores.In fact, for many folks, Christmas can be regular work day: police, doctors, utility workers, nurses, caregivers.Long ago my Aunt Emma said, "Christmas is just another day."I knew what she meant, and she wasn't being disrespectful.But Emma realized that the celebration had become distorted. Emphasis was being put on the wrong things.Emma also knew that Christmas takes on new meaning when you've outlived your loved ones.When that happens, the holiday celebration evaporates.Eventually, Christmas becomes something deeply personal and private.It's not about wild parties and overeating. And it's not even about memories. It's more a time of introspection, beliefs we hold inside. It can be recognition of human mortality and being in touch with our innermost self.I've seen how Christmas can change with life's seasons and evolving beliefs. It can become a noncelebratory holiday.For many it's a merry occasion and party time. For others, it's solemn and deeply religious. Yet others find it difficult. And for many, it's just plain sad.Christmas has so many faces.Everybody's painting is different, as varied as the colors in an artist's palette.Whatever the case, I hope your holiday is meaningful.The promise of spring is just 12 weeks away.Between now and then, may your days and months be filled with contentment and a sense of joy.