I’m gonna eat this box!

Remnants of Portland’s snowpocalypse ‘09

“Just as it is difficult-even impossible-for people living in Western society, which has institutionalized change, to appreciate fully the role of mythology, so too it is extremely difficult-perhaps impossible-for people deeply and powerfully shaped by conservative spirituality to accept the forward-looking dynamic of modern culture. It is also supremely difficult for the modernist to understand people who are still nourished by traditional mythical values.”

-Karen Armstrong, Battle for God (pg 35)

I have mixed feelings about the holidays.

On the one hand, I do like the ‘magic’ of Christmas (a favorite memory from childhood is getting up early on cold, Utah winter mornings and enjoying some tea while gazing at the lit Christmas tree), getting together with good friends and family to celebrate, and the general increase in good will toward men that is more prevalent on the tongs of people.

On the other hand, I hate the consumerism that drives this time of year, the expectations to buy, having to show up for once a year ‘holiday parties’ with people you barely know, crappy music blared for a month ans a half, and kitchy decorations.

Most of these things are mixed together, so you can’t just take one side and ignore the other. Take music for example. There are far too many re-makes of songs about santa and his presents. Most new holiday music is even worse than doing yet another remake. But, in the middle of winter play lists, there are some beautiful Christmas hymns that stir the soul. (I must say that it’s weird to hear songs about sin, hope, and salvation from every artist. Makes me wonder if people should sing only what they believe…)

Since I work in the service industry, I am forced to take the good and the bad. Over the years, the bad has made me a humbug. Over all, this time of year I greatly dislike. But, the time of advent, Christmas, and Epiphany I love.

It’s a mixed bag. A religious celebration has been transformed into an annual cultural ritual. As a believer, the religious celebration is something that gives life to my dry faith. As a non-conforming idealist, the cultural ritual makes my stomach turn.

Next year, I am going to be celebrating Christmas with my little one for the first time. I don’t know how to teach him the joy of Christmas while giving him the power to exempt himself from the cultural, money and expectation driven events.

No real point here, just thinking aloud. I want to celebrate Advent and Christmas. I don’t want to participate in the ‘holidays’.