Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Why I love Christmas vacation...
In random order:
1. I get to sleep in past 6:30 am.
2. Dad's homemade hot chocolate on the stove.
3. Christmas Eve pajama opening.
4. TAMALES.
5. Traveling to my favorite place in the world- Mom-mom's house and seeing extended family.
6. Baking with mom, cooking with dad, and then having plenty of time to blog about both.
7. Opening chocolate coins from our stockings (yes, we still get them in our 20s).
8. My first married Christmas with my handsome husband.
9. Christmas Eve church service (my absolute favorite thing ever).
10. Remembering what it is all about...
Speaking of number ten, I just thought I would remind everyone that Christmas is not about Santa. Now don't get me wrong, I am not one of those people who put the "keep Christ in Christmas" bumper stickers on my car...but I still hate Santa. Yup, I said it. Call me scrooge if you want. I wish I could write an article like my favorite anthropology professor Jenell Paris did, but since she basically said everything I would, I'll simply share it with you (take 5 minutes out of your day to read this please):
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Santa-vs-God.html
Now do you understand my feelings a bit more? I guess I have a lot of different feelings about Christmas. Although I love this holiday, I think we have completely blown it out of proportion to what is truly means. Somehow this holiday has turned into a consumerist frenzy. Instead of giving thanks for family, we spend incredible amounts of money on things that no one really truly needs. We don't really need more clothes or electronics, and kids definitely do not need more toys or video games. The Christmas we have created leaves people without a lot of money to buy gifts feeling horrible about themselves and sad at the end of the day. To me, that is the total opposite of the true meaning and purpose of celebrating this holiday. In all, I think Santa Claus prevents us from seeing things as they truly are.
Ps. Sorry if any children read this blog (although I highly doubt that). But then again, I'm not sorry...because I think you're better off knowing Santa isn't real ;)
How do you respond to Jenell's article? How did it make you feel? Did you ever think about the things that she mentioned before?
2. Dad's homemade hot chocolate on the stove.
3. Christmas Eve pajama opening.
4. TAMALES.
5. Traveling to my favorite place in the world- Mom-mom's house and seeing extended family.
6. Baking with mom, cooking with dad, and then having plenty of time to blog about both.
7. Opening chocolate coins from our stockings (yes, we still get them in our 20s).
8. My first married Christmas with my handsome husband.
9. Christmas Eve church service (my absolute favorite thing ever).
10. Remembering what it is all about...
Speaking of number ten, I just thought I would remind everyone that Christmas is not about Santa. Now don't get me wrong, I am not one of those people who put the "keep Christ in Christmas" bumper stickers on my car...but I still hate Santa. Yup, I said it. Call me scrooge if you want. I wish I could write an article like my favorite anthropology professor Jenell Paris did, but since she basically said everything I would, I'll simply share it with you (take 5 minutes out of your day to read this please):
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Santa-vs-God.html
Now do you understand my feelings a bit more? I guess I have a lot of different feelings about Christmas. Although I love this holiday, I think we have completely blown it out of proportion to what is truly means. Somehow this holiday has turned into a consumerist frenzy. Instead of giving thanks for family, we spend incredible amounts of money on things that no one really truly needs. We don't really need more clothes or electronics, and kids definitely do not need more toys or video games. The Christmas we have created leaves people without a lot of money to buy gifts feeling horrible about themselves and sad at the end of the day. To me, that is the total opposite of the true meaning and purpose of celebrating this holiday. In all, I think Santa Claus prevents us from seeing things as they truly are.
Ps. Sorry if any children read this blog (although I highly doubt that). But then again, I'm not sorry...because I think you're better off knowing Santa isn't real ;)
How do you respond to Jenell's article? How did it make you feel? Did you ever think about the things that she mentioned before?
5 comments:
loved the article! & i appreciated a fresh perspective on the old Santa vs. Jesus debate...she wrote from a completely different angle! 3 cheers for Messiah :)
I definitely understand what you mean. They have turned such a sacred and holy time into a consumer driven event. I haven't read her article yet, but I will be after I am done posting my comment. =] In my family we actually celebrate Christmas twice. This time of year it is sooo hard to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to really appreciate what he has done for us. So since I am also half Ukrainian I go on January 7th to celebrate the Ukrainian Orthodox's christmas. It's such a nice time because all that Santa junk is behind us and we can truly appreciate what the Lord has given us. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
P.S. Still reading your blog and trying your yummy recipes you post! =]
Hmmmm......I can understand that perspective....it's important that we continue to instill true values into our children every day so that they understand what Christmas and life is really all about. With that said, I think it's possible to balance the fun of Santa with teaching our kids the true meaning of Christmas. Bob and I have so much fun each year writing the note from Santa and watching Bobby's eyes light up in the morning. For us, it's been a lot of fun memories with our kids and I wouldn't trade it.....sometimes I think it's more fun for Bob and I than it even is for the kids....
Haha, I'm a kid (a mere 12 yrs old) and I like reading your blog. I do agree though, that we think Christmas is all about the presents. It is, in fact, more about family and friends who've been there for us thick 'n thin!
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