Dear Friends,
By now you know that I don't like this time of the year. I
definitely do not like Christmas. Not because it is the birth of Jesus Christ
but more so because the lack of family involvement of recent years. As I sit
here and write this, I look at my niece and nephews. They still believe there
is a Santa Claus and also there is Jesus. Children grow up with a sense of
amazement and belief but unlike my niece and nephews, I learned the hard way
that this time of the year is not good for me. This is my views about Christmas
both with Santa and Jesus. Even though I have a son, even my son is getting
taught that even though it is a magical time there is hell to bear also.
When I was about six, I learned my first lesson about this
time of the year. I learned that there was no Santa. Most people learn that
later but I was early. The way I found out was not by accident but by dumb
luck. You know how they tell you that you have to be sleep for Santa to deliver
your gifts. Well I stayed up and watched my mother put the gifts under the
tree. I would say that I was shocked but I was more stunned but later got over
it. To me, Santa is a myth for kids to hold until they get to their teens. When
you find out before then, you get jaded like me.
Until 2006, my holidays were spent with my great aunt and my
mother. Thanksgiving was more so for us but Christmas was more of a day of
celebrating Jesus' birth. Before I continue, please note that even though I do
believe in Christ, I know that some people don't think he was born on December
25th. Like I was saying, my great aunt would read the story of
Jesus' birth. Even as a young adult, hearing the story of his birth would give
me a sense of peace because this was a child born into the world by
extraordinary situations.
As I look forward to 2012, I see that I have to do what I
can to avoid how I have been feeling around this time of year. I get through
Thanksgiving because I work but Christmas is different. The world shuts down on
Christmas. Nothing is open until after Christmas. I think that's why I want to
be working a job that does not care about Christmas. I use to see this as a
holiday but now, I see that this is more for kids and those who believe in
Jesus. I find myself trying to not be a scrooge but I think I just want to see
a new year. That is all for now but there is more to come since this is the
holidays.
Eugene Chandler III
No comments:
Post a Comment