Question: Why is it that those who "celebrate" Christmas always say the same thing to each other? We say Happy Christmas what seems like a million times, even after the official Christmas Day is ended. We even say it to anyone who calls us on the 'phone!
It's probably the only time of the year when we look at whoever we meet and actually speak to them! For the rest of the year, we walk past each other, heads down and not allowing eyes to meet, and certainly not speaking to them. The sad thing about society today is that we seem to be suspicious of anyone we don't know. Hands up anyone who hasn't experienced a frosty glare or been snubbed when saying a simple Hi or Good morning to a stranger. I don't see many hands up! What is it about Christmas that changes things? In answer to my question, I believe we say what we say in a kind of opto-pessimistic kind of way. We say Happy Christmas in the hope of having the compliment returned-but wouldn't be too surprised if it wasn't.
To be brutally honest, there are more of us who are "celebrating" Christmas for the eat, drink, and be merry reasons, rather than for any possible religious reasons. OK! Maybe that does'nt apply to everyone, but it certainly applies to very many. I suppose age has a little to do with it. When I was young and single and with no resposibilities to worry about, the attitude WAS eat, drink and be merry. Then I got married and I had someone I felt responsible to, rather than for. A good time was still had by all, but the brakes were applied in good time to prevent regretting my actions, the following morning and for some time to come.
Ultimately, along came child number one. This gave me someone to be responsible for, as well as someone to be responsible to. A good time was still had by all, but in a different kind of way. A very special kind of way.
Some may be asking why I have not pursued the religious side of the Christmas. I have to confess to being a trifle confused here. My parents were deeply religious. Father, a lay-preacher, Mother, a Chapel organist. As a child I was battered non-stop with religion seven days a week. Sadly it was to be the key to my walking away from religion at the age of 14 years. I still have a problem with it. Perhaps one day, this will change.
Until then-Happy Christmas Everyone.
It's probably the only time of the year when we look at whoever we meet and actually speak to them! For the rest of the year, we walk past each other, heads down and not allowing eyes to meet, and certainly not speaking to them. The sad thing about society today is that we seem to be suspicious of anyone we don't know. Hands up anyone who hasn't experienced a frosty glare or been snubbed when saying a simple Hi or Good morning to a stranger. I don't see many hands up! What is it about Christmas that changes things? In answer to my question, I believe we say what we say in a kind of opto-pessimistic kind of way. We say Happy Christmas in the hope of having the compliment returned-but wouldn't be too surprised if it wasn't.
To be brutally honest, there are more of us who are "celebrating" Christmas for the eat, drink, and be merry reasons, rather than for any possible religious reasons. OK! Maybe that does'nt apply to everyone, but it certainly applies to very many. I suppose age has a little to do with it. When I was young and single and with no resposibilities to worry about, the attitude WAS eat, drink and be merry. Then I got married and I had someone I felt responsible to, rather than for. A good time was still had by all, but the brakes were applied in good time to prevent regretting my actions, the following morning and for some time to come.
Ultimately, along came child number one. This gave me someone to be responsible for, as well as someone to be responsible to. A good time was still had by all, but in a different kind of way. A very special kind of way.
Some may be asking why I have not pursued the religious side of the Christmas. I have to confess to being a trifle confused here. My parents were deeply religious. Father, a lay-preacher, Mother, a Chapel organist. As a child I was battered non-stop with religion seven days a week. Sadly it was to be the key to my walking away from religion at the age of 14 years. I still have a problem with it. Perhaps one day, this will change.
Until then-Happy Christmas Everyone.
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