As many of you know, my husband and I don’t celebrate Christmas. We actually celebrate very few holidays as far as that goes. We generally have a Thanksgiving dinner and often invite friends to join us. We’ll attend family events IF we happen to be in Kentucky when they happen. Oddly enough for people who don’t celebrate Christmas, we send out approximately 175 holiday cards every year, and every year I swear that I’m going to cut the list way back the next year but that doesn’t seem to happen. We remove people whose addresses are no longer valid and add new friends we’ve met, so we always end up somewhere between 170 and 178 cards. We’ll cook a special meal on Christmas Day just because we’re both home and we like to cook. I decided to roast a duck this year. It’ll be my first time. Wish me luck. But other than that, no decorations, no tree, and no presents. I like it this way. We’re not scrooges. We give generously to people in our lives throughout the year - at least we try to. Some years we’re more successful at it than others. This is a choice we’ve made and I have no desire to change it.
I think about what people call the Christmas Spirit with heaviness in my heart as odd as that may sound. It seems like people care more around the holidays - or at least express it more, are more charitable, become more family oriented, and reach out to friends more readily. If that’s Christmas Spirit, I think life is sadly lacking something. Shouldn’t we care about the world and other people every day of the year? Shouldn’t we be generous every day of the year? Should we focus on our loved ones every day of the year? Shouldn’t we express our love for others and our desire for “peace on earth” every day of the year? Otherwise, isn’t it all just lip service?
Last year, I wrote an essay about my most memorable Christmas experience. Many of you may have read it. Those of you who missed it can read it at Christmas Ends . I’ll warn you, it may show you a side of my family you didn’t know existed. Anyway, enjoy the essay. If you read it last year, there are no changes, I just thought I’d post the link for those who missed it.
Happy Holidays to you whatever holiday you celebrate. If you choose not to celebrate any holiday, then just know I wish you happiness. May you carry a generosity of spirit, a loving heart, and an understanding spirit always.