by Bill Lee-Emery
Has your view of Christmas changed over the years? Mine has. I argue with the crass commercialization and stifle a rising ‘humbug' as I fight through frantic Christmas hoards. Inevitably on Christmas Day I will be found somewhere in quietness, trying to remember something important. What is this Day all about?
As a kid it was the excitement and anticipation of new toys. That was simple – rip the parcels open and play until you drop. My teenage years were different. Now there was the added pleasure of giving. At other times and in various parts of the world, I watched and enjoyed the celebrations from other cultures. It helped my spiritual awareness grow.
Christmas Day is magical and has significant meaning for some and yet for others, it is the most lonely and depressing day of the year. Ask the Salvos. For non–Christians it has little meaning. For retailers it can be a welcome bonanza.
My training reminds me that an event, any event, is just that. Everything is innocent, we add meaning to it. Therefore no day is more special or holy than another except that we make it so.
The Romans were pretty smart with this. Rather than try and persuade the Pagans to take on a new celebration they simply took over an existing holiday (the winter solstice) and called it Christmas. It had nothing to do with the actual birth day of Christ. It was a political convenience. It didn't take long for the original meaning to get lost. A common pattern.
It seems that perception rules. Yet when we look under the surface, we find what we thought is not actually so.
Our rotund and rosy cheeked version of Santa Claus first came into being as an icon for Coco-Cola in the 1930's! It replaced the thin green man (Saint Nicolas) from our Nordic friends and became the commercial symbol for Christmas. What a great marketing campaign that was!
Do you watch those TV shows that expose magic tricks or do you prefer the ‘magic' of the illusion? This same exploration was the idea behind the movie ‘The Matrix. Do you take the red or blue pill? Do you really want the truth? What parts of life are worth exploring and what illusions are still worth holding onto (even if it is an illusion!)? Is innocence a preferred ‘reality?'
Phew! How did we get so deep into searching for meaning? Victor Frankl, author of the acclaimed and classic, ‘Search for Meaning' showed that being connected to a greater meaning can keep us alive in the face of extreme adversity. Surely then it is worth while doing? And yet, there are times when innocence is preferred over knowledge. Not for ever though.
The transition is part of the maturing from child to adolescence and adolescence to adult. With the growth comes some pain as we let go of part of our innocence. It is an inherent part of life. How could we do without it?
As I moved from my own innocence about Santa Claus to cynical rebellion at the commercialization of Christmas, I finally realized the true meaning of Christmas. It's an inside job. The Day is yours as you choose it. A spiritual or commercial celebration...or any combination you like. Me? I find myself missing simpler times. So I'll go looking for quietness and a grateful internal Connection. How about you?
Anyway, it is with an open and caring heart that I wish you, the best Christmas you could choose. May it be safe and happy for all you love and hold close to your heart
