As November draws to a close, I am gearing up to maintain a
degree of equanimity about the CHRISTMAS SEASON. I put that in all caps, as it
becomes the background beat even before we pick the turkey. Last October I was shopping in a local home improvement store (Jerry’s) and discovered
Christmas décor in full display. Oy
Here is what I enjoy about the
season:
Rainy stormy weather leading to cozy in-home enjoyments
A very small number of Christmas songs, and only on my terms
Christian observation of the birth of Jesus – in
their homes, churches, etc.
My screen saver for December (pictured here)
Good deals on warm slippers (now I am just reaching)
Here is what has in years past
eroded my equanimity:
The silly fight over “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”
or get stuffed
Claims of Christian suppression and governmental hostility
(ahem: tax exemption)
A frenzied focus on shopping, parties, running around
frantically to do everything
Annual opportunity to feel my disconnect about the “giving
season”
That last one has legs for me. I am resistant to scheduled
gift events. I prefer to be generous when feeling so. The expected reciprocity
of gift exchange makes me quite uncomfortable. My family history with this is
deep and old. So a major portion of my seasonal angst is quite specific to me.
I am going to work to keep that tamped down when in the presence of those
enjoying things I simply do not. It will help if in my presence you don’t
bemoan perfectly normal weather for December.