Something has been on my mind for a few weeks, and the closer we get to Christmas, the bigger it is and the more it is on my mind.
I am probably not going to make any friends by writing this, but what the hell, I have been losing friends left and right lately, so really it makes no difference, even in this festive season that some of us celebrate.... but I digress.....
I was at the mall today, I picked up a couple of things for some loved ones and saw many things that I would have loved to get for those closest to me.... it occurred to me that Christmas, and what it really began as, has changed drastically...
I see people post on facebook and on blogs, on comments and in email that it is Christmas and here in Canada, we celebrate Christmas. I see a lot of disgruntled comments about not being able to say the words `Merry Christmas``... but I don`t get it... I mean, ok, I am as intolerant to change as the next person, straight up, I don`t want to be immersed in anyone else`s culture, and sometimes, other people`s cultures and beliefs just plain piss me off, but they are those people`s beliefs, so they are free to have them whether I like it or nor makes no difference.... I say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays or have a nice day.... I get a little more emotional than most of the year and I miss having a family to celebrate... I miss my dad who died in December from Cancer... the big C.... I miss my baby sister, December 17 is the 15th anniversary of the day she committed suicide... I miss her... I wish she was here, but sometimes I don`t.... but what I don`t miss, is something that I don`t understand people saying...
I don`t miss Christmas, because it is HERE, Now... and it is real. In the T&T market, a market that caters to the Asian and South Asian communities has decorations up. They have Christmas trees, the staff has a bit more of a smile when they say hello, as they do their job and live their lives. All the customer service Reps are wearing Santa Hats and there is tinsel garland everywhere. Further in the mall more decorations, more items that signify Chrismas... Restaurant owners have paid people to pain festive decor on the windows, sales are everywhere, I hear Christmas music everywhere, so where, dear people, has Christmas been forgotten and if it has been pushed aside, where is the proof? Why are people so quick to say we can't say Merry Christmas? Am I really the only Christmas celebrating Christian who doesn't feel that Christmas has been some how stolen from us? Christmas is everywhere, in stores, on tv, at theatres, in our hearts... If Christmas isn't what it was, if it has lost it's meaning it is on the shoulders of all of us... many of us are the people who profess that Politics say we can't say Merry Christmas...We have given up the actual meaning of Christmas so that we can buy buy buy, give give give, as though that makes us better people... Santa isn't the sign of Christianity, but it represents what we, as Canadians, have adapted to be "Christmas".
God, said to love our neighbors, to not judge, and yet here we are, all up in arms about the term, when it is simply two words...
I am not sitting on some high horse, thinking I am better than anyone else just because I don't agree that other cultures have abolished Christmas, it is a simple fact... Christmas is everywhere....
To everyone, I want to wish a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa, a Happy Hanuka, Happy Holidays, Season`s Greetings, or whatever wish will bring you joy and peace... yes, I wish it for you, because if it makes you smile, and feel good, that is what I set out to do. If I offend you by wishing you a Merry Christmas, I thank you for tolerating my holiday as I celebrate it. I thank you for taking part and watching as we spend all our money to buy gifts that possibly will be forgotten, not live up to the expectations that the receiver had. I thank you for humouring me as I sing my Christmas songs at the top of my lungs in my car and in your store. I thank you for adopting some of the Season`s spirit and smiling my way while I shop through the hell that is Walmart and I thank you for your contribution to this society.
