A Christmas post

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Every other blogger has something to say about the holiday, so I decided to, too, instead of feeling left out.

First off let me say this: I wasn't traumatized by Christmas growing up and I knew extremely early that Santa doesn't exist. I love Christmas movies, because I love the combination of magic and inevitably happy ending with a touch of moral-to-the-story. And yes, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a favorite.

So what does Christmas mean to me? Nothing. That's right, I said nothing. I'm not Christian, I'm not hung up on tradition and haven't made any of my own, and I don't have to have certain things or things a certain way at Christmas so as not to feel left out or lonely or un-Christmassy. (Except maybe my own blogpost about it.)

I enjoy the lights, the atmosphere, the constant greeting other people with "god jul"/"Merry Christmas", the reminders to be generous, the spirit of the season, but I don't decorate or go overboard with the food, though I'll dress up. Sometimes I'll play Christmas carols. I like buying presents for people, but I don't like crowds. That last is a year-round thing, though.

The most important thing about Christmas for me is what I just did: Spend lots of time with people I love.

Comments

Paula said…
I grew up with Christmas, in a secular way. My mom did the tree, cookies, prezzies, etc. No church, No Jesus. My dad, being Jewish and not caring much either way, went along. Then I married a Jewish guy and agreed to raise our kids Jewish (even did some Jewish education and had an adult bat mitzvah!), so Christmas meant even less to me, though I always enjoyed the lights and stuff. Now cuz of my mom being so sick, I'm doing a holiday lunch today. I know she doesn't like the idea of Christmas being nothing special. Didn't have time for cookies, but I do have M&M brownies--very festive!
December 25, 2007 9:39 PM
Keera Ann Fox said…
My family was secular about Christmas; we never had nativity scenes, for example. But my Grandma did believe in God, so I wasn't raised entirely atheist. And in Norway, where Evangelical Lutheran is the state religion, we schoolkids would attend Christmas mass. I even read out loud from the Gospel of Luke one year.

I guess my mixed experience is why nothing stands out. It's always about the people in our lives, anyway, isn't it. I hope this Christmas lets you focus on the love, Paula.
December 25, 2007 10:37 PM
alice said…
I loved Christmases when I was a kid, and I loved them when had a kid. The best thing about all the others is the complete lack of obligation that I feel toward the holiday. I can do a little or a lot and feel fine about it.

I'm glad you had a good one!
December 26, 2007 4:52 AM
SolSionnach said…
My family was very religious about Xmas, and it still feels strange to not go to church. My folks like to hear that I've been to church, but I had the perfect excuse this year - after the breakup of my 7-year relationship I simply didn't want to go alone to church where everyone else was in a family.

I had a nice dinner with some friends, but it wasn't festive at all, and I ended up going home early after a rather unpleasant incident. grumble.

My word verification sounds like waterboarding: ggagbd. pfft!

I'm glad you all had a pleasant day.
December 26, 2007 7:38 AM
Keera Ann Fox said…
I feel like you do, Alice. That I have options in how I want to celebrate.

I'm sorry Christmas wasn't a good holiday for you this year, Sravana.
December 26, 2007 12:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Christmas is always much cheerier than my Birthday or Thanksgiving. I just like the fun.

max
['I've never paid any mind to the religious aspects, since they're really kind of wrong anyways.']
January 01, 2008 9:00 AM
Keera Ann Fox said…
I liked your tree. :-) That really is the spirit of it, isn't it: Just acknowledge the holiday; no need to max out the credit card.
January 01, 2008 10:01 AM
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