One of the first reasons that I believe I have a grinchy disposition is because of my experiences with the holidays. I grew up in Illinois as an only child. The rest of my family lived hundreds of miles away in Maryland and Virginia and I only saw them about twice a year sometimes only once a year. Christmas used to be a fun time for me putting up the tree, decorating the house, and even admiring the lights of the neighbors. But at some point either when I was in middle school or high school it was no longer fun for me. I ended up dragging up our fake Christmas tree from downstairs by myself. I put up all the decorations, by myself. My parents had no desire to help me anymore. After awhile I had no desire to to engage in Christmas decorations anymore either. To this day I don't partake. Sickness surrounded my family around this time too so it is just kind of a sad time anyway.
Over the past few years I have really started looking at Christmas differently. It hit me the most through the most recent sermons that we have had at church. Christmas is becoming increasingly commercial and secular. I know that the Christmas decorations at my part time job were up in September! It doesn't bother me because if anything I find it funny that many of my non Christian friends also celebrate Christmas with their families. Christmas has turned into more about the gifts and the presents and less about the birth of Christ.
Would everyone hate me if I stopped giving and receiving presents for Christmas? I just feel that we should focus more on spending time with each other and doing good deeds rather than spending money on presents that no one truly needs. Does anyone else agree with this?
Over the past few years I have really started looking at Christmas differently. It hit me the most through the most recent sermons that we have had at church. Christmas is becoming increasingly commercial and secular. I know that the Christmas decorations at my part time job were up in September! It doesn't bother me because if anything I find it funny that many of my non Christian friends also celebrate Christmas with their families. Christmas has turned into more about the gifts and the presents and less about the birth of Christ.
Would everyone hate me if I stopped giving and receiving presents for Christmas? I just feel that we should focus more on spending time with each other and doing good deeds rather than spending money on presents that no one truly needs. Does anyone else agree with this?
Grandma would always loudly proclaim she did not celebrate Christmas ("That's not His birthday, that's King Herod's birthday"), but would always help MaMa play Santa Claus. I've gotten to a point that I still love the season, but not the commercialization. I see too many people struggling to give their kids presents knowing they are neglecting other responsibilities. This year I've started reminding people I do have a life after Christmas. I've never been one to equate money with love or gifts ... yet my children seem to have embraced this quality. I don't wait for Christmas to express my love, appreciation, or thoughts ... I do it when I can and don't expect anything in return. My hubby, on the other hand, is the lost brother of the Grinch. I don't mad at him for not getting me anything because he does so much for me anyway. Getting a gift is a bonus. I agree ...we should spend mnore time with family and doing good deeds ... all year long.
ReplyDeleteYep. You would be hated if you stopped receiving Christmas presents... bc then you wold be a hypocrite. When you're on the receiving end, it's not about the commercialization, it's about allowing someone to show you a measure of love. If anything, you receive to show the giver you appreciate them. If you deny them that, you're denying them the pleasure of trying to make someone else's day. That's not for us to do. We should just be grateful.
ReplyDeleteAs for the giving part... well... yeah, that would suck too but you wouldn't be hated for it. (But I might remove you from my Christmas card list!)