You’ll hear multiple things about Christmas from people. For some, it’s a religious thing. For others – it’s a time to give rather than receive. Some consider it a great time to be with family, while others still only love it for what it means in terms of material gain.
I won’t call either interpretation wrong – and I acknowledge that there are many others to probably floating around out there, but that’s how the day is typically laid out to me.
Reflecting on it (from a personal sense), the definitions have all intermingled in my Life. I was raised a Christian, so the religious views of Christmas hold valid in my eyes. As a kid I loved it simply because I was able to get the things that I’d waited all year for. Then I went through the phase of having a job where I COULD get all the people I cared about something nice, so I did – giving vs. receiving felt great. Now I wrestle with the family-side of things. Haha, growing up I always hated family-centered holidays because my parents were split. The holidays were always a brutal reminder of what I didn’t really feel like I had anymore.
Sob story aside, I think I’m at the family-portion of things NOW. My dad is still my dad. My mom is still my mom. They just aren’t together — and that’s cool if it works for them. I know they both loved me each Christmas, and I’m thankful for that. My brother and his wife and kids are family too. My nieces and their mom. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins… You get the point. Even my really good friends (you know who you are)… I’ve reached a point where I feel like those are the REAL gifts of Christmas that eventually matter to a person.
I’ve been blessed enough to not really want a thing for Christmas for the last few years because I manage to get things for myself throughout the year. Looks like I’ll be going through the holiday with the affection of a good woman on my arm too – so that’s a perk to boot.
I’ll get up tomorrow, go to church for a little bit – and then rendezvous with my family and friends afterward. Gift or not gift (I’m sure there will be), I’m looking forward to concentrated time with them.
The time we have now is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.
Hmmm… I bet that’s the next philosophy I’ll toss on the holiday *smirks*
I don’t know if any of that just made sense – but I’m happy you all stop by this blog to read the musings of myself and fellow GRDX Contributing Writers from time-to-time.
Merry Christmas Eve to you and your’s. There won’t be any posts from this site tomorrow, but hopefully you’ll get plenty of other things you enjoy and further define what the holiday means for you on a personal level.
Peace and thanks for reading.
