Apologies for the lack of updates recently, but I’ve been busy with work and other personal matters, which has meant I haven’t had much free time to write about some of the things that have been going on.
Anyway, the inspiration for this latest blog post was overhearing a conversation on the bus the other day.
In a nutshell, this young lad was moaning about Christmas because he was an ‘atheist’, and ‘didn’t see the point in it’ because he wasn’t ‘religious’.
The thing is that I would probably also label myself as an ‘atheist’ because I don’t follow any particular religion.
But I don’t see Christmas as being any particularly significant religious event.
Yes, I think it is tiresome that people are ‘expected’ to shell out their hard-earned money on buying expensive gifts for people, and yes I feel that Christmas has just become less about religion, and more about fuelling ‘consumerism’.
But I don’t see Christmas like this. For me, it is not a religious occasion, it is an opportunity to enjoy a couple of days off, and to spend time with my family and friends.
In all honesty, I couldn’t care less about the ‘exchanging of gifts’ aspect, I’m just happy to spend time with my parents and the rest of my family, sitting around a table for a hearty Christmas Day meal, not having to worry about going to work the next day.
And I do feel sorry for those who do have to work over Christmas, don’t get me wrong.
I do have a Christmas tree, and I put that up on the 1st December, and I’ll keep it up until January 6th, the “twelfth day of Christmas”.
I may not be religious, but I do recognise ‘tradition’. It amazes me how so many people can’t wait to put up their trees, lights and decorations in early November, but are the first to take them all down once Christmas Day is over!
I think that is the key word, “tradition”, because it falls in line with culture and customs. Sadly, I think far too many people now just follow the ‘tradition’ set out for them by what they see on the TV, in particular the adverts. For many weeks beforehand, its all “Christmas this, Christmas that” but as soon as the ‘big day’ arrives, all mention of Christmas disappears, and it’s all about Boxing Day and “grabbing a bargain at the sales”.
TV adverts switch to ‘big discounts’ on sofas, beds, carpets, kitchens and even package holidays.
If your life is dominated by the telly, then this is your culture and tradition, because this is what your big corporations and brands have turned Christmas into, just another consumerist orgy.
Well, I couldn’t care less about the number of ‘Christmas specials’ being shown on TV, because I won’t be watching them.
As I always try and say to people, there is more to life than watching TV and buying stuff.
Spend quality time with your loved ones, and talk to them face to face. And enjoy the time you have with them.
That’s what Christmas means to me.
I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish anyone who dares read this blog a very Merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for a very happy New Year!
