Are You a Christmas Lemming?
So many people out there celebrate Christmas. Some people associate the celebration of this holiday with their faith, others align it with being thankful for family and still others tend to see it as the time to give and receive good wishes. Regardless of why you celebrate, do any of us actually define our own Christmas or do we just do what the retailers, the media and our family/friends have taught us?
- Why do we put up a pine tree and decorate it?
- Why do we associate snowflakes with Christmas in places that have never seen snow?
- Why do we believe in Santa Claus?
- Why do we feel the need to send letters and cards to our friends?
These are all legitimate questions. The simple answer is that we do these things because we’re supposed to. It’s what we were raised to believe is polite and therefore the right thing to do. Granted, we live in a society where going against the grain is frowned upon and you might even be cast outside if you challenged these very traditions. That being said, does it make it any more logical to follow the Christmas parade like a lemming? I say no.
Christmas is one of those times that we created for reasons that have changed through the centuries. I question whether it’s time to change that reason yet again and be honest with ourselves as to why we celebrate our own Christmas. Are you just a lemming who follows what society tells you to do or do you actually believe in your own personal meaning of Christmas?
That’s the heart of the issue, but unfortunately it doesn’t end there. The fact that Christmas has been a part of our culture since long before any of us were born means that it’s partially associated with our mental health. How many people do you know who wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if everything they’re used to changed one day? Point made – habit and consistency are directly linked to good mental health for most of us. So while I question the very purpose of Christmas, it’s a bit absurd to even fathom the idea of removing it from our culture. If you are a Christmas lemming then at least you’re probably healthier than the rest of us.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m not really a fan of the Christmas traditions.
8 Comments
Your answer to all of questions about why we do things at Christmas is
"that we do these things because we’re supposed to."
Doing anything out of obligation is never fun. However, if you *choose* to participate because of family and cultural tradition, it *can* be really fun! It's about choice. It's wonderful to celebrate the year end with family, friends and good food, regardless of the name of the holiday- if you choose to. And many people do Mr. Scrooge! ^__~
You say that the answer to all questions I ask about Christmas is that we do them because we're supposed to, but I question the time when it was written that we're supposed to do one thing or another. My point isn't that people should boycott Christmas or change it's meaning – rather I question what Christmas actually means to you. If you choose to celebrate Christmas on 100% of your own free will, then everything is in line. However, if there is *any* part of you that buys into the tradition of Christmas then I believe it's time to reexamine your choice because tradition isn't something you have the ability to choose.
Mr. Scrooge denounced Christmas for the sake of it. I don't believe in getting rid of the holiday, just making it actually mean something.
some (astute folks) might even say that you're a bacon lemming.
I like Christmas. That being said, I hate American secular Christmas! For me Christmas is the 12 days beginning at Sunset on December 24 and ending at Sunset on January 5th when Epiphany begins.
I observe the Christian season of Advent beginning 4 Sundays before Christmas. During this time may put up some "Winter" decorations and celebrate St. Nick's Day by hanging up a stocking or St. Lucy Day with candles and sweet breads, but mostly during Advent I avoid doing "Christmas" including sending cards, shopping, and excessive baking. I put up a Christmas tree usually on December 23rd and keep it up until January 6th when I take my tree over to my friend's fire-pit, along with several others who also bring trees, and we have a huge outdoor fire and do crazy things. During the 12 days of Christmas, I may call, email, chat, or even send a few cards with people. I exchange gifts with a few people during this time, and I use to the time to open gifts family and friends have left for me. I have people over for dinner and drinks, some carol singing and games. I play m Christmas CDs and watch my Christmas DVDs. I take advantage of the good sales that take place after Dec. 25th. I also bake some holiday recipes that have been handed down in my family. I make some special breads that my great great grandmother used to make and share that with family and friends who stop by my home.
For me Christmas is a Christian holiday and I don't understand why people who aren't Christian would want to celebrate it….but even as a Christian holiday, it's really not that important of a festival. It came about for two reasons. 1) Christians wanted another excuse to celebrate Easter. (Note all the references to death and resurrection in sacred Hymns and carols of Christmas) 2) Christians wanted to take over the more widely celebrated "Winter Solstice" festivals as Christianity became a state religion. The name Christmas is really "Christ's Mass" or the mass of Christ — meaning a sacred worship experience in honor of God becoming human.
Hmnnnn I guess I'm rambling here…..and close with this: I have no problem with a "Holiday" tree rather than a Christmas Tree. What about a "winter tree?" When I lived in Texas, I always wondered why people put "snow men" on their front lawns.
Ron – the snowmen and snowflakes in areas that it clearly doesn't know bothers me too. Coming from Wisconsin, it's tough to imagine why someone who has never seen snow would associate it with Christmas.
I'm now interested to see how Christians on the African Continent celebrate Christmas. My friend in Australia says they have snowmen and snow flakes and sing about the cold wintry weather even though it's their warm season. hmnnnnn all interesting and confusing —- time to ponder some more.