Hi there again!
Well, Christmas is just right there round the coh'nah! Each one of us might experience this period of the year differently and I thought it could be an interesting thread.
I have to admit that, for me, Christmas is synonym of HOLIDAYS, that is, not working, taking a rest, taking a couple of days off and disconnecting from the day-to-day routine. The spiritual component of these days does not have great significance for this humble servant, I've got to say. However, it is true that in the last years, I have found myself genuinely enjoying Christmas, and not only for being a hiatus of the daily grind, but for the different, small things it implies: getting together with the people you love (e.g.: family), being specially affectionate and considerate, tasting those delicious Christmas dishes and meals, gorging on Christmas sweets, drinks, cider, cava, etc; as a consequence of the former, putting on a couple of kilos/pounds and inevitably making New Year resolutions (concerned with a healthier lifestyle, going more often to the gym, saving money, etc.) which we do not know if we'll keep, last minute rush-shopping in search of gifts for the beloved ones, etc.
You know? I went one through that immature phase of despising everything related to Christmas as it was the quintessence of obscene consumerism and materialism disguised as spirituality and blah blah blah... But, what the heck, now I really do like Christmas!
What about you? What's your take on Christmas? What does Christmas mean to you?
Hi there
ReplyDeleteI really envy people who have Christmas Holidays. For me personally, it is impossible to disconnect from the day to day routine until the previous day to Christmas and New Year. In addition these days would be able to become quite stressful if we are not farsighted enough to buy in advance the most important Christmas purchases. Without any doubt, to buy anything during this season, especially in the city centre, can be a nightmare (the traffic, to find convenient parking, long waiting lines, crowded areas, streets closed to traffic because of processions…) However, if I have no choice but to go to the city centre, I simply take it easy.
For me and my family, this year is being particularly special due to the presence of the first baby of the family (my son). Since my father died five years ago Christmas had been quite sad and full of memories but finally, everything is changing. With the excuse of the baby, my mother’s house has again been decorated with the typical Christmas decoration and the Christmas Eve dinner was full of joy and good humour. People say that time heals all wounds but I think that children also play an important role.
Furthermore, with the baby excuse, my wife and me are enjoying Christmas in a different way. I didn’t know that there were so many activities for children in malls and city centre during the day (ice rinks, processions, Bethlehem…) However, thanks to grandparent we do not miss the opportunity to enjoy at night with our friends.
Great write-up, Angel. As we discussed in one of my NI2 classes, Christmas is a time when, for better or worse, we experience emotions more intensely: we want to spend more time with our loved ones, and if someone has recently passed away, this period is likely to sadden us much more than other time of the year. The same which applies to death, applies to life, of course, and there are few things in life which bring about more happiness and joy than the birth of a child. Life is never going to be the same after such an event, but that is what life is about in the end, isn't it? So glad about the good news, Angel. Happy new year in advance!
DeleteHello,hi,hello
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about your take on Christmas,specially that part in which you refuse to criticise the consumerism and the materialistic attitude on Christmas,and I have come to the following conclusion:
In reality,maybe because of our culture,on these days we usually spend much more money on things like gifts,food,parties and all those social gatherings which involve eating,drinking and entertainment.This is a fact,the naked truth.
However,I am completely sure that everyone has honestly realised,at least once in his life,that there is something more important,more rewarding and less materialistic behind the Christmas business.
Do not get me wrong,I am not talking about spirituality or religious beliefs,actually I am my self an atheist because of God(another paradox).What I really mean is that all those Christmas expenses are just an excuse so as to get together.Keeping touch with people is a obvious need for the human being.On the other hand one shoud not deceive himself into thinking that it does not exist any economic interest regarding Christmas.
Yeah, Diego, you are definitely right. We have somehow been forcefed about the Christmas spirit and whatnot. If this kinda pantomime makes us be closer to our families and more thoughtful for a split second, then Christmas is worth it. For some reason, I think that, after the Christmas maelstrom, we inevitably have some time to think after such a shopping/drinking/eating binge about how to become a better version of ourselves: doing more sport, reading more, being more conscious, thriftier, better parents/partners/friends, etc, in a nutshell, being better people. I do not know what makes this period of the year so conscience-stirring (end of the year recap, maybe?), but IT IS a time of introspection. An introspection that we maybe need. Great words, by the way!
DeleteHi and Merry Christmas everyone,
ReplyDeleteChristmas for me is very special because On whole my family gets together for dinner and my children enjoy a lot. So, they are the protagonists of Christmas. On December the 25th, Chistmas Day, they enjoy whole day with the gifts that Santa Claus brings to them. On January the 5th, we leave a glass of milk and some cookies them and the next morning, they get up very early and they see Christmas gifts appear under the tree which bring them the Three Kings. In conclusión, only to see the faces my children worth celebrating Christmas.
Hey, Pilar!
DeleteGreat write up on Christmas. Anyway, take notice of these:
"... they see Christmas gift (appear) under the tree which THE THREE WISE KINGS HAVE BROUGHT THEM"
"only to see the faces OF my children, IT IS worth celebrating Christmas"
Hi guys Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year,
ReplyDeleteI have to say I don't like Christmas time, so I prefer not to write anything about.
Until next time