The consensus seemed that there were too many expectations: too many family functions they were expected to be at, too many socials, too many pageants and programs, too many cards to send, and too many gifts they felt pressured to buy. They wished for simpler times and celebrations, for opportunities to reflect and enjoy the real celebration of Christmas; to be able to sing and worship, to ponder and think about this baby and his young, inexperienced mother and father.
We wondered aloud what it would mean for us to take back Christmas. To celebrate the birth of Jesus in a way that would honour his simple coming into the world. Our conclusion was that the whole thing was too big to fight against. It would mean family members could be hurt, and co-workers and friends might misunderstand not getting a card or gift this year. That could cause offence which wasn't intended and make the rest of the year very long.
We wondered when Christmas moved from being a magical time, to a time of such pressure and expectation. We decided it must be sometime between childhood and being an adult. I remembered my own childhood Christmases, and I had to agree, those were the times that Christmas really shone.
I remember plenty of preparations. We had to learn lines for the school program, and we also had to memorize our lines for the Sunday School program. This was not as hard as actually getting me up in front of the whole church to say those few words. To even get me out of the house to go to the program my parents had to take drastic measures. One year, (in desperation I think), my parents promised that if I did my bit without being a problem, I could open one gift when we got home. I agreed to the deal.
I recall standing in front of the very dark stage, dressed as a Wiseman in his bathrobe, and the spotlight shifted to me. Everyone went quiet, waiting for me to utter my few simple words. I wondered what kind of deal had I made, this was so unbearable!! I stumbled through my lines then returned quickly to my seat.
By the end of the evening I had recuperated. It helped that each child got a bag of candy and peanuts from the Sunday School. Later at home, I got to open my gift, it was a yellow toy earthmover. I fell asleep that night in peace. My bag of goodies on one side of me, and my new yellow earthmover on the other side. Joy to the world.
The day before Christmas would find me in fine form. My home made gifts were ready, we had seen our favourite shows, Charlie Brown Christmas and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and now we just needed to wait for the big day.
Christmas morning would find me wide awake and filled with excitement after a somewhat sleepless night. I would wake up my younger brother and send him upstairs to see if it was OK to get up, or if we had to go back to bed for a while. (Some years earlier we had awakened in the middle of the night, thinking it was morning. We got up and opened our presents before mom and dad were awake. We were impressed that this was never to happen again.) If we got the "All Clear" signal, we would all meet in the living room, around the brightly lit tree.
Thus began a day of excitement and meaning. It included family and gifts, church and God, food and visiting, playing and singing, weariness and finally sleep. A good day all around.
Memories are generous things; they are often better than the real thing was! Still, I figure my childhood was pretty standard, and as I reflect on it, we were busy then too.
What would it mean for us to simplify Christmas just a bit this year. To allow more moments to enjoy what Christmas is really about. To remember and give thanks that the God of all creation gave up His status to become human. Not even to become a rich, well-placed human, but to become a baby born in a stable. A lowly, simple entry if ever there was one.
Perhaps we don't need big, extravagant celebrations all the time. Maybe we should look to Christ's example and celebrate in a simpler way this year. What could we do to make our Christmas less cluttered this year?
Parents, why not take some of the money set aside for the children's gifts, and give it to an organization that works with poor children. Get your children to help you decide where it should go.
Dads, try to take a day or two off while the kids are on their school holidays. Take them along on your last minute errands, or go play a game of street hockey with them. Spend time with them, and share your life with them.
Moms, get the children to help you with some baking, or decorating the house. Help to make good memories that will last a lifetime.
Grandpas, tell your adult children that you understand the pressures they are under with commitments and activities. Don't let guilt motivate them as you plan your celebrations. Enjoy the time you have together - sharing and making memories.
Grandmas, why not cook one less kind of vegetable for the Christmas feast this year. Or better yet, get your guests to help by bringing a dish, and have kind of a potluck Christmas dinner. This would take some pressure off you.
Kids, why not clear the neighbours' sidewalk of snow for them, then go to the door and wish them a Happy Christmas. It's a great gift, and only cost's a little bit of love.
Take time this year, to really celebrate the life of Jesus by following His example. Let's look for ways to un-complicate Christmas and enjoy it more. Let's make great memories and remember the things that are important.
From our family to yours, have a Very Merry CHRISTmas.
My fmaily are atheists. Growing up, the winter season had an entirely different flavor for me than it did my peers. There never was a Santa Claus, nor extravagant gifts on x-mas day. My mother once explained to me when I was very small that the spirit of the solstice season was to celebrate what we have, to make commitments to help those less fortunate...not just during this time of year, but year round-- and to make and give small presents to those we loved to show them how much we cared. We would always have a solstice tree-- decorated with small white lights and crystal drops rescued from chandeliers, and a large meal x-mas eve, where we shared these small gifts. When I was four, I apparently spent two months making *just* the right fingerpainted pictures for those I loved.
ReplyDeleteTo me, then, the season has never been about buying things, or big pageantry. But rather quiet time with family, sharing small, handmade tokens of love, and reflecting on what I have tried to do throughout the year to make this world a better place, and making a committment to continue to try to do my small bit.
That is the meaning of this time for me.
I appreciate that your family was consistent with their beliefs. It would be so easy to give in to the onslaught of the culture of the day and just, "Go with it."
ReplyDeleteAnd, for that matter, I think you guys did it better than so many of us do today. Keeping it simple, and small. For me, I think that's what Jesus was more about, than anything else.
Christmas seems to have been pre-empted by raw commercialism. Money. Stuff.
As a follower of Jesus, I've been thinking more and more that the real party should be at Easter, not Christmas...
I started a comment that got way too long. I think I will have to do a blog about this myself. But briefly, to me a lot about Christmas preparation is preparing the surprises - these are the gifts that really count. And are sort of a celebration of God's great surprise to us. And since we have two main surprises that we as Christians commemorate - the incarnation and the ressurection, I agree we ought to celebrate them both and try and preserve them from the crass commercialization that trivialises both into almost Disney like cartoons.
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