realsorien (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
realsorien) wrote2010-12-19 09:36 am
realsorien) wrote2010-12-19 09:36 am
XmaHanuKwaYuleMas?
Recently I've been thinking about Christmas. Yeah, Duh, its the season, but I mean I've been thinking about the meaning of the season- what it means to me, that is. Traditionally, Christmas-the-Christian-Holiday means for most people of the faith the celebration of the birth of Christ and His teachings. Its meant to be a season of joy and love, a moment in the year where we all try to be giving in one way or another.
The secular Christmas has an odd double nature- on one hand its supposed to be a time where family comes together and celebrates, whether or not its for a Christian reason or not. Gifts are exchanged, and you see friends and family that you generally don't see during the rest of the year. It also has a much heavier focus on children.
On the other hand, it can be a crass, commercial endeavour where the market and media try to convince you to buy as much as possible for as many as possible as happiness somehow is oddly linked to materialism.
Each of these is valid in their own way, of course, although the latter portion of the secular definition is kinda disturbing and dark-ish. But... My definition is a little different.
My Christmas is a time when I can try a bit harder to make people happy. I make a little sacrifice of time and money, and I get to gather all the people I care about together for a nice evening and an exchange of gifts. Its not the getting that's really important, its the giving. Whether its the time or just the getting together, being able to get people to smile and feel good, even for a little while is what Christmas is to me.
So I guess this is my Christmas letter to people; its not fantastic, but it is what it is. I hope you all have a wonderful season, finding time to be with those you care about and finding happiness.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The secular Christmas has an odd double nature- on one hand its supposed to be a time where family comes together and celebrates, whether or not its for a Christian reason or not. Gifts are exchanged, and you see friends and family that you generally don't see during the rest of the year. It also has a much heavier focus on children.
On the other hand, it can be a crass, commercial endeavour where the market and media try to convince you to buy as much as possible for as many as possible as happiness somehow is oddly linked to materialism.
Each of these is valid in their own way, of course, although the latter portion of the secular definition is kinda disturbing and dark-ish. But... My definition is a little different.
My Christmas is a time when I can try a bit harder to make people happy. I make a little sacrifice of time and money, and I get to gather all the people I care about together for a nice evening and an exchange of gifts. Its not the getting that's really important, its the giving. Whether its the time or just the getting together, being able to get people to smile and feel good, even for a little while is what Christmas is to me.
So I guess this is my Christmas letter to people; its not fantastic, but it is what it is. I hope you all have a wonderful season, finding time to be with those you care about and finding happiness.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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