Christmas, and all the holidays of this time of year, celebrate the light that breaks through winter darkness. As another new year approaches, people turn eagerly toward the prospect of new beginnings, toward hope.

In 2015, the annual observances happen in the midst of a spreading sense of gloom. What the season brings is the chance to fight back against it.

This is no small challenge at a time of war-weariness. Terrorism has pushed out the boundaries of the battle zone to reach American neighborhoods.

Stories of the desperate flight of refugees from Syrian cities leveled by bombing runs, of suffering in Europe, Africa, Asia, wherever there’s unrest, have deepened the general anxiety.

One data point: The interest in gun purchases has been mounting this year. In November, the FBI ran more than 2.2 million firearm background checks on potential gun buyers, a 24 percent increase over the previous year.

Without drawing too many conclusions from this statistic, this suggests evidence of fear. It’s a rational, if emotional, response felt throughout an American population that has been unsettled by recent terroristic attacks.

The ugly backlash that has followed targeting Muslim Americans can’t be rationalized away as easily, particularly at a time when in the same breath people are singing songs about “goodwill toward men.”

The counterargument, that the most notorious rash of violent behavior stems from a radicalization of Islam, is also dispiriting. Those who see faith as a positive source to be tapped are hard-pressed to counter the critics. Religion — like any mobilizing force — can be perverted to achieve a political end.

In this sad context, where does the season of hope find its anchor? It’s in the decision to turn toward one’s immediate relationships, those within local communities and, especially, within families.

Many describe this country as being “at war,” even if American troops are not deployed in large numbers. A measure of that wartime instability does seem present. Perhaps there are lessons we can draw from more conventional wartime eras.

Historians recall that holidays during World War II were celebrated with simplicity — by necessity, at least at first. Americans needed to be resourceful because items that had been taken for granted were rationed, so where the usual luxuries were lacking the focus turned to intangibles and inexpensive, homemade gifts.

The eventual ease in hardships — the prosperity of postwar America — was welcomed by all, but some found that rediscovering simplicity had been a happy experience, too.

Whether we could really recapture that in the current technological age seems doubtful. But a holiday celebration that’s at least a partial return to basics would be a way to refocus attention on the most important things.

In addition, there’s a reason why charitable giving is popular at year’s end, beyond the cynical calculation of tax deductions. When world events seem to have careened out of kilter, there’s wisdom in seeking to better the world in some small way that we can control.

Here’s where technology can be a true aid, and not a distraction. Websites can help sort through the big-business charities to choose the most effective ones; thelifeyoucansave.org, givewell.org are just two examples.

Locally, there are many initiatives to help the needy, and not only with money. Volunteerism, the gift of time, is a resource all can share.

Helping a local charity, or just finding someone in need of care within one’s own circle, is another route. Such a gesture can make life easier for people in the community, and more meaningful for the donor as well.

The more horrific events of 2015 surely have conveyed a sense of powerlessness to many of us, but reconnecting with each other, reclaiming our power, is the best response to fear.

And the chance to make a change for good, even a small one, is a wonderful part of every Christmas season.