I know, respect, and appreciate the real 'reason for the season', yet I just am not into it once again.
It is neat to watch Melissa. She is a true kid -- in a good way. She is one of those rare adults that never lost the magic. You know -- as a child you can easily believe things that as an adult you have been "trained" not to or broken and can no longer accept.
I am not saying she is simple-minded (although, in a way, she is), but she has been able to embrace and hold on to that child-like fun side that most grown-ups lose. God bless her for that! for I am jealous!
Anyway, it's fun to watch her around this time of year. She is, and has been, the biggest kid in the house. *SHE* is the first one up Christmas day, not the kids. *SHE* is the one most wanting to open up the presents. It's funny over the years, the kids have picked up on this and we make it a game to see how long we can stretch it before opening presents just to watch her squirm (I'm not exaggerating).
Yet, I cannot get into it -- or at least not lately. It is the total opposite of the way my soulmate approaches things. I wish this was not the case.
I'm not alone here, though. I've heard a bunch of folks talk about how they are "not feeling it". Christmas used to be such a special time.
It was a time when you would not just smile and nod at a complete stranger, but wish them a "Merry Christmas" as you passed one another in the street. It used to be a time where one would do something a little 'extra' because it was Christmas 'season'.
It used to be a special time of year. Now it's a rush to "get this done" type of thing.
Dad and I went to WallyWorld the other day to get groceries (he likes going there because it's one-stop shopping -- get everything from hardware to groceries). Most of the folks there were Christmas shopping, yet only a few even engaged in eye contact, let alone speech -- and, again, most of these folks were likely Christmas shopping.
What happened? I am not much of a socialist, but there is a point as Karl Marx pointed out that Capitalism really robs the 'common man'. I think that has happened in our culture and, apparently, there is no better barometer than Christmas time itself.
We have gotten so caught up in having to buy this for someone and that for another and this and that for him, her, them, and everyone else ... that it has us running around as if this was another "must-do" part of our lives rather than a "let's do".
There was a time when people spread around more Christmas cheer and goodwill than they did presents. Its been so drastic a change that I have noticed it in *my* lifetime.
I don't know that my "not feeling it" with respect to Christmas is tied into this, but it certainly is something I have noticed and really hate to see. I think my problems stem from much deeper psychological issues that I still need to work out, but sadly, there is a -part- of me that can't help but think if I had money to go 'play' and buy presents for people, would that help me "feel it"? It has worked out that way in the past.
It's truly sad, that we have lost our way. We now go through Christmas getting things for people because we feel we have to. It's rare anymore about what the day was set up to observe.
Jesus didn't demand gifts, yet three kings set out on a journey to show their appreciation for His coming. Ever since it seems to have become a slippery downhill slope.
I wish I still held onto that childlike magic!
2 comments:
I'm there with ya, brother.
christmas has been ruined by capitalism.
Part of the problem, IMO is that we (as a nation) have moved from "freedom of speech" towards "freedom from being offended." People have to restrain themselves for fear of persecution.
As you know, I don't buy into the "Jesus as savior" thing, but I still celebrate Christmas because at its roots, it's the celebration of the rebirth of all of us. The solstice has passed, and the days are getting longer, and soon we'll frolic in the warm sun again.
and to me, that's a good reason to celebrate.
I exchanged a couple gifts with my sweetie. nothing extravagant or expensive, but instead, well thought.
I hate "obligated gifting." I'd much rather pick something up for someone because I saw it and it made me think of them.
that's going to be my goal this year... to gift unexpectedly.
let me add here...
yes it has become too much capitalism-christmas-cheer these days. However on one hand though you said yourself that if you had money to play, you would be more in the spirit. I think you might be too, because i remember a few christmas's past that we had so much fun and ran through lots of money. What were we doing?...buying for everyone we hadn't been able buy for in the past. We didn't go on this spree in a sense of duty but in a spirit of childish fun!
Our kids have done just that for years and years...
Just look at Meg this year. i have a clue just how much she spent, happily spoiling her "little" bro. Trust on this you DON"T want to know either. but she was having fun doing it, and spending for others. It is the season of giving for giveness sake! I guess though you can't have a selfish personality to truly enjoy it. Our family really has the giving spirit so your problem just might be the funk that is plauging you.
Ok maybe i am slow...i don't understand how people can NOT be "into" the spirit of Christmas unless illness, loss of a family member/dear friend or if other such traumas are weighing on your soul. Christmas is fun! it is supposed to be silliness and serious tradions (sorry no spell-check), it meant to be family, friends, & memories.
stop over thinking it and just fall in, fall in just like a kid would...eyes closed, arms open, face first, right off grandmas dresser straight onto the matteress!!!
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