I've been hearing this question asked ever since I was a kid myself.
And, No.
I don't want to get into a conversation about how long that has been
but, if you are a child of the computer age,
it's been longer.
There's a part of me that wonders if Mary (Yes. That Mary.) asked Joseph the same question when the three wise guys showed up unexpected.
Right in the middle of breast feeding no doubt.
Gawd!
The nerve of some people!
In any case.
It's an honest question that deserves an honest answer.
I don't know.
But here's what I think (Like you didn't know more was coming).
Christmas is commercial.
There's no other way to say it.
It has become completely secularized and turned into the time of year when virtually every public service and retail industry can count on a boost that takes annual sales to places they could reach in no other way. Christmas sales make such an enormous difference to every retail sector of the economy that the Friday of the American Thanksgiving weekend, the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season and the busiest shopping day of the year in the USA, has become known as 'Black Friday' because the volume of sales on that day is what pushes most retailers into 'the black' in terms of annual net income.
We spend money on lights and decorations, on gifts, on wrapping paper and cards. We spend more money on travel, on food for guests, on dining out and on every and any other celebratory activity you can name.
I suppose the question becomes twofold.
Why?
And how much is too much?
Add to that the reason for Christmas.
How important is it to remember the event we are celebrating?
Not very unless your traditions, beliefs
or, at least, family background lean towards Christianity.
I think it's a cultural thing.
We celebrate this way because this is the way we celebrate.
This is a part of our culture.
The average person in North America, and probably the entire Western World,
has more than they need and access to more than that.
But our way of life,
where rampant consumerism is the most popular form of physical activity,
is not a reflection on Christmas.
It's a reflection on the Western World.
Christmas just got caught up in it.
What I like is that it is and remains an atmosphere of celebration
and a time to be with family and friends.
As a matter of fact, it has become a time to make the effort
to be with loved ones where that effort may not be a priority at any other time.
At the same time as we are demonstrating affection by the giving of gifts
we should not forget that we are usually showing up to give them in person
and isn't that really what it's all about?
I'm not ashamed to say that I still believe in Santa Claus.
And here's why.
Santa Claus is actually an English mispronunciation of the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas.
He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. His reputation for giving to those less fortunate survives to this day in the spirit of giving that Christmas inspires. In that sense, Santa Claus lives on through each of us in the giving of gifts, of good wishes and of time to and for each other.
For the kids?
Let them enjoy the day and all the treats and goodies that go with it.
I feel fairly secure in the knowledge
that the majority of us grown-ups understand
that it truly is far more fun and fulfilling
to give than to receive.
And on that subject, if you find yourself worrying that you're missing the true meaning of Christmas with all the commercial shenanigans going on around you,
take a little cash or food or time
and donate it to a worthy charitable cause.
Let someone in need see your true Christmas spirit shinning through.
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