In a land far far away, in an age long long ago, there existed a splendid little time right after Thanksgiving during which parents and children, grandparents and neighbors could together experience the joy of holiday/holyday anticipation. With the air so crisp and the sugar-plumb fairies so active, everyone became like a giddy straw-man flopping excitedly toward an enchanting reward.
Not any more!
Carl Jung liked to say, "Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil." And yet our culture has devilishly indulged in hurrying Christmas more and more each year. Starting right after Halloween, and in some insidious ways right after Labor Day. The convoluted logic...? When something's this wonderful, you mustn't waste time waiting for it...
But, you see, anticipation is the very essence of life's wonders. Like the play you've waited for all season; but then as the curtain finally rises, you're struck by the realization it's the beginning of the end. Likewise the magic of Christmas, when it's rushed there's less chance to value each little bell or bough or giggle.
Because perception is reality, today's hurried-up Christmas season has very different realities for very different participants. The giggling kids love it so, altho after awhile a bit of psychic ennui can settle in; something like the way the last licks of candy and cones are often less thrilling than the first.
Elder's reality at this time of year is more recollection than anticipation. A warm-all-over sensation; and yet this glow often dims when relentlessly imposed upon every aging body part 24/7.
Merchants of course experience Christmas in ways that would annoy Charles Dickens right down to his paper and quill. After all, didn't he brilliantly explain this season to us once and for all?
Still, the kids and elders and even the merchants take Christmas very seriously each in their own particular way. But then -- would you believe! -- there are those among us who prefer not to take it at all. Oh, they will deny this, but I can't help but suspect it is true. First there are the purists, then the grinches...
The grinches are fairly uncomplicated. For various regrettable reasons, their hearts are too small to embrace anything so large and holy as Christmas. And so they ba-humbug their way throughout. Theirs is perhaps a lost cause. The purists, however, might still be saved. These are those who so claim they so honor Christmas that their fury over its terribly rushed exploitation keeps them so angry that they miss the whole wondrous affair. Be it in the good name of theology or psychology, they spend their days analyzing what 2000 years ago was simply meant to be appreciated...
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While I have never been able to capture the Christmas excitement of my youth, I do still enjoy the holiday. But enjoying it as and "adult" isn't as much fun. Too much baggage involved, whereas when you are a "kid" it's all about Santa and fun.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, it's still a wonderful time of year. I just wish the merchants wouldn't start until AFTER Thanksgiving!
I agree. The gimmicks and the hustle so cheapen this season. But that's the American Way, right??!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas has picked up a lot of baggage of the generations. Most of it having nothing to do with the Bethlehem story. Getting back to Bethlehem helps shed the baggage
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