December 15: For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been among the most stressful days of the year. I’ve always been uncomfortable being the centre of attention, and Christmas seems to me to be all about being the centre of attention. Opening gifts means having to display the right mix of excitement, surprise, and gratitude for something you probably don’t need, while giving gifts means having to find “the perfect gift” for someone you may not really know that well.
The fact that the season has become the most important period in the year for retailers speaks volumes about our attitude to Christmas. Even charities put on an extra push during the holidays trying to capture some residual generosity. How many more weeks of that idiotic talking goat do I have to endure ? It feels like we’ve lost what Christmas should really be about.
And here is where I struggle: what should Christmas be about ? I’m not religious so celebrating the birthday of someone who may or may not have existed is unimportant to me. I have no issue if others wish to do so, although I wonder whether those who follow other religions are comfortable with the Christian focus of the holiday.
Ultimately I feel that the season should be about gratitude; a celebration of the fact that the year is drawing to a close, we are nearing the shortest day of the year, and we have many things to be happy about. Most of us have supportive families and friends, our health, and a reasonably comfortable life. Lets take a moment to reflect on the good fortune that brought us here and the truly wonderful things we have at our disposal. In the genetic lottery of life, millions are not so fortunate. We won the big one…..