At the risk of stating the obvious, I'm just going to say it:
Trees,
lights,
Santa Claus,
snowmen,
presents,
Elf on the Shelf,
table decorations,
food,
and seasonal welcome mats
are all very nice, but they aren't what makes Christmas, well, Christmas.
Sure, all of that can be enjoyable and fill young hearts with wonder. My wife really loves doing all of the decorating and the gift shopping and wrapping. I think she would feel bad if she didn't spruce up the place with decorative Christmas cheer.
Me, I'd only miss it because she would miss it, and I wouldn't want her moping around.
However, it can easily be overwhelming, with disappointment, despair and discouragement because something didn't live up to expectations.
Well, Christmas isn't about getting or even giving. And while togetherness and family are potential perks, Christmas isn't really about all of that either.
Celebrating Christmas is meant to be about remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.
All of this other stuff, well, I'll leave you to research how it all came to be if you like. You can draw your own conclusions as to why it all exists.
All the consumerism, trying to keep up with the neighbors, not wanting to disappoint children, grandchildren or loved ones, spending more than we have or getting deeper in debt with gifts.
Definitely not what Christmas is all about.
Now, I know, many don't believe in Christ. That doesn't mean Christmas can't be celebrated, or not, as one sees fit.
To each their own.
Getting together with loved ones and having an enjoyable time is a worthwhile endeavor regardless, but especially given all of the restrictions on gathering this year. However, if such gatherings only serve to cause more anguish than being alone would, than maybe doing nothing is better. Anguishing or stressing over Christmas, to me at least, is the anti-thesis of what Christmas is meant to be.
Hope, not despair. Happiness and joy, not drudgery or sadness. Love, not hate or loneliness or other emotions most would consider negative.
So, in whatever way you choose to celebrate Christmas, or choose to ignore it—
I still wish one and all—
to all of you and all of yours from me and all of mine—
a very, Merry Christmas.
All images courtesy of Glen Anthony Albrethsen
Beautiful post and well said, pretty much how I view Christmas, the materialistic stuff no thanks.
Hey, @simonjay.
Well, thank you. It seemed like a timely message. :)
I've never had a bad experience at any holiday family gathering, so I don't know what that's like. I've been to some office holiday parties where I wish I were somewhere else, so I know what that's like. :)
That’s the truth! Christmas is about what we make of it but in whatever positive way. It fights the negativity and diversion that keeps getting pushed. I feel bad for the people of London, getting told piss off you’re locked in even though it’s actually not all that much different than any other flu season.
I listened to an interesting podcast a few weeks back they talked about the origins of Christmas music and things like holly, Santa, elves, the red and green colors. It was interesting to listen to the potential historical roots for what we know today and don't recognize as actual stuff not just cute lyrics.
Hey, @cmplxty.
Yeah. Lockdowns are a tough thing, regardless of which side you might be on.
Lots of history behind the different things we now do at Christmas, along with the song lyrics. A lot of it is good, but not all of it. Kind of like most things, I suppose.
Merry Christmas. Lots of reasons for or not for Christmas. For me it simply boils down to remember the past, live the now, look to the future. Life, no matter how small should be celebrated at least once a year, so why not during the Winter Solstice season.
I hope you enjoy the day, and that in 2021 things will be more fun.
Hey, @bashadow.
Wouldn't that be nice. A fun year! Not holding my breath, but I certainly don't want to get worse. This was more than enough for all that. And yet, here we are, and for most of us, life goes on in some fashion. And I suspect there's more we could do about things if we chose to do them.
I think I would pick some warmer months for a yearly celebration if it were me. On a tropical island perhaps. :)
Tropical Islands get boring after awhile. No snow, no cold, no need to jump in a pool because it is to hot. Two seasons on an Island, the rainy season and the not rainy season. I absolutely hated Island life after the first four month thrill left me.