Ba Humbug!

[Gypsy]

I know, I''m usually Christmas crazy... but this year I''m feeling more like scrooge. I''ve got no Christmas spirit at all. I''ve already bought 6 ornaments because they were on my ''mental to buy'' list, but... no thrill, no anticipation. I''d just as soon stick them in with the rest of the wrapped ornaments till next year.

It just seems like a hassle, with no point. We don''t do presents under the tree, we don''t fill our stockings. We just put it all out, and then pack it away.

Anyone else in a funk this year? I''ve been listening to my favorite christmas carols on my Ipod in my car, and it''s not doing much for me. I''m thinking of hitting a church or two soon to see if that helps. At the very least it will give me a chance to pray for Grandpa.

What gets you in the mood for the holidays?

 

[4ever]

The food always get''s me in the Christmas mood. I''m looking forward to cooking Christmas dinner for my family again this year and having my BF around for Christmas too. I like making Christmas mince pies for my friends and the BBQ for New years day. Yum yum yum.

 

[perry]

Gypsy:

Great question.... (or observation).

I suspect you are beginning to wonder what is Christmass - what does it all mean. Is buying things and giving them to people somewhat shallow (at times).

So what is Christmass? (note that I perfer the old spelling)

A very short history is as such:

The early Catholic church was not doing so well - especially mid winter because they did not have a winter celibation. So they created "Christmass" as a religious holiday; nominally to celebate the birth of Jesus (who was actually born in the spring or early summer). There is good evidence that the Catholic church essentially adopted other "pagan" religious practices of the day for the "Christ - Mass" of the Catholic church.

That allowed them to compete with other popular religions of the day, and allowed them to grow and become more dominant.

But, this was not a holiday about buying lots of stuff and giving lots of gifts. Yes, you did show care to your family and strangers; and you might do something special together (as in other religious holidays).

The modern gift giving and marketing holiday was invented by the merchants as a way to boost sales. They were very successful at that.

I have come to terms with "Christmass" with the following thoughts:

What does it mean to be a Christian? I view Christianity as something much different than what the vast majority of chuches in the US teach and overtly practice. However, I would hope you would see the following as a common theme: We should care for our family and fellow man and provide charity to those who need it. I also view that one of the key purposes of our existance is to help other people. There are other things I believe as well.

Now I am far from perfect - and have difficulty doing everything all the time and every day of the year. As such, I have found that the various religious celibrations provide a focus time to reflect on what I should be doing as a religous person - and specifically provides a chance to focus in one area or another.

So, I do view the season as a time of reflection and action on how to help my family, freings, and fellow man. If I feel that I can actually improve their life by giving them some form of gift - then I do so. But, I do not give gifts just for the sake of giving gifts.

If you are looking for ways to have an impact - there are lots of charities.


I hope this helps you find a new holiday spirit.


Perry

 

[diamondringlover]

My children get me in the mood for the holidays, my youngest son just loves all the decorations and he gets so excited it cant help but get me ready for the holidays!

 

[tyty333]

Yep, the kids do it for me. I remember the magic of Xmas when I was little and want them to have those same feelings.
Also, we dont exhange gifts with any of the adults so that takes a lot of pressure off. I only have to shop for the kids then
usually get some kind of edible gift for the adults to enjoy. So much more pleasant!

Its definitly a lot of work to get everything out...thats why we do it thanksgiving weekend. If we''re going to do all that
work its going to stay up for a while!