The Spirit of Christmas

22/12/2008 by Andy.

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. The sentiment is there even if the practice is harder to come by. I am not sure what has happened to Christmas and am also sure that I am not alone in this. Put the religious aspect to one side and all that is left is iconic commercialism and a fair amount of over-indulgence. This is not meant to be criticism but I do feel that with age I have joined the “You won’t fool me again” society. I look at the world today and I just don’t buy it anymore, so the unstoppable force that is Christmas happens around me.

There are reasons for my lack of enthusiasm - I have lost so many of my lovely family at this time of the year. We get older and winter heralds bad tidings so my view is now naturally clouded. I am also aware that I am not alone in this either.

When I was young I loved Christmas, the house full of family, everyone singing their party-piece, all ages all together. There was a respect for our elders that is missing today. My family has a strong bond and a religious upbringing but not overly so. We sang in the church choirs and because of the high voices were called in for many Christmas services in many places across North Wales. I eventually grew out of religion and found a new one in music and from there I guess many normal aspects of life, including Christmas, slowly diminished.

With progress comes change and as we know not all change is good. Christmas is now a time for contemplation and keeping in touch, if nothing else. When I get together with what family I have left, the conversation usually ends up in the past because life was good then. We still have the future but Christmas was better in the past.

The Sweet’s spirit of Christmas was liberal amounts of port and brandy, in the same glass! How times change. I am still here and will be toasting all memories and your good health, sensibly of course.

Posted in Sweet Bits | Print | 2 Comments »