Thursday 2 January 2014

Christmas: what does it mean to me?

What does Christmas mean to me?

I don't celebrate it as a Christian festival. Christianity comes into some of our traditions but it is more of a background thing. When you look at the holiday celebrations most of the traditions are blatantly pagan anyway! But even though I don't see it as very Christian I also don't see it as a time for worshipping at the alter to the great god of commercialisation. It could be for some but not for me.

I see it as a festival for celebrating family. For spending time together playing games, singing, having fun. A time for visiting family and friends. Midwinter can be such a miserable time but planning for Christmas some how helps to alleviate this, by focusing on the good it helps drag me through those short days and long, dark nights.

I also enjoy the opportunity to craft, decorate and curl up in front of the fire with a good movie. Sometimes I'll panic before Christmas but when we're settled in on Christmas Eve I relax and just go with the flow. If I've forgotten something it's too late.

And following Christmas day is that short period before the first of January where, despite yourself, you start planning what you want to get on with, what you would like to start and what you would like to change in the coming year. It's a great time to reflect on where you have been and where you want to go forwards.

I do love Christmas.


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