The Spirit of Christmas
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.
2 Responses to “The Spirit of Christmas”
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22/12/2008 at 11:12 pm
I can relate to what Andy is saying in his blog about feeling a change in attitude toward the holiday spirit. I lost a lot of my family members through death and my parents’ divorce and the loss of my lovely sister nearly six and a half years ago really took a toll on my feelings towards the holidays. I am grateful for friends who are there for me during this time and always.
Happy holidays to all!
23/12/2008 at 05:12 pm
I have to say I echo much of the sentiment expressed here. I no longer have my parents and have also lost other family members in past years, so most holiday celebrations are vastly different that those of my youth. As a strong Catholic, however, the Christmas season is very important to me. My personal finances have taken a recent hit, but I’ve noticed that because my faith is strong I’ve not suffered as much as if it had not been. I leave each person to decide on how they wish to worship in this special season, or to decide not to worship at all. May everyone be safe and hopefully with loved ones. Merry Christmas to all!