Understanding the Holiday Season. November 20th 2024




    It never ceases to amaze me what Christmas.....or the holiday season brings out in people.  It is no secret that I live the Holiday Season.  In America the Holiday Season begins with Thanksgiving.  In Canada, I have always considered the Holiday Season kickoff to be the Grey Cup.  Our Canadian football extravaganza that used to line up with the Americans Thanksgiving.   Back in the day the Grey Cup was something special.  To some of us, it still is.  It has been hurting since cable t.v. made the NFL available, but there remains a faint hint of national celebration that constitutes the kick off to the Holiday Season.

  I don't always like what Christmas brings out in some people.  There are those who absolutely find Christmas to be nothing more than commercial hype.  A ridiculous expense.   Canned music,  unhealthy food,  too close quarters with relatives you love better from a distance.   Many think it starts far too early and wears out it's welcome in early December.   And then there is the loneliness that those who are far away from home or have a less than ideal nuclear family.   Those things are real.  very real.   

   Then there's the whole " We say Merry Christmas" movement.  Yup.  Be damned if we're gonna share our Christian holiday with other faiths or cultures.  Doesn't matter that Hanukkah falls this time of year. Same with the African holiday Kwanzaa.  ( Yes, I did google it) Then there's the Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, and a host of Saints Days.   And my point?  I know it always takes a while to get there but here goes:

   This time of year truly is a Holiday Season.  Inclusion shouldn't be difficult.  It shouldn't be offensive and it sure as heck shouldn't be intimidating or scary.   Other peoples customs and holidays are no threat to Christmas.  And quite frankly, if sharing anything grates those who celebrate Christmas,  well maybe we are missing the whole point of this Christianity thing.   Some people don't celebrate Christmas at all.  I have very near and dear relations in that category.  They do not interfere or try to quell our need to celebrate.  They are in fact very respectful of our beliefs and frankly, they deserve the same.   

    I don't care what anyone thinks about my eagerness to get Christmas underway.   Every year I put the outside decorations up a little earlier.   It just gets so cold in this corner of my home and native land by the end of November.  I am old....er now and it gets just a little harder on the hands and knees when it is -20.   While I don't light up the house before November 11th,  I find I do light up a little earlier every year.  Simply because I already did the work,  and I think it looks cheery. 

   I have had Christmas tunes on my iPod for a week now.  I have a four hour Christmas play list that encompasses several genres including Celtic, Classical, Country, Jazz, Pop, and even Punk.  Christmas music doesn't tire for me.  It makes me feel happy.  Warm.   In love with the idea of kindness.  Hopeful.  If you know me you know that I believe our lives have a soundtrack.  Christmas music is a huge part of my life soundtrack.

  A couple of times in our younger years we did feel some financial stress because of Christmas.  While it is no less expensive these days, I tend to worry less about the cost of this celebration.   In life, you get out what you put in.  To me Christmas costs what it costs and it is easy to celebrate within limits.  And as we get a little longer in the tooth, well the "meaning" of Christmas becomes more apparent.  

 So in our house we are into the Christmas season.  And this Christmas season we will do Christmas things for our family, friends, community.  We will get out of it what we put into it.  We will accept wishes of "Happy Holidays" , "Season's Greetings",  "Merry Christmas" and return same in all sincerity.   There will be shopping and baking and toasting and festive music.   

And There Will Be CHRISTMAS SOCKS.  Yup.  Christmas from the ground up!

 


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