What's The Point of Christmas?

 

I'm trying to get this out of my head whilst the sensation is still fresh.

Genuinely - what was the point of all that? What was the point of Christmas?

I have no doubt that folks reading this have their own interpretations of what Christmas is - be it a religious observation; a familial event; a cultural bonanza; a shopping spree; an excuse to spend time with people you love.

The latter absolutely used to be the case for me; and certainly on some levels was still the case for me for Christmas 2023.

But I still find myself questioning what was the point; and why did I feel obliged to participate in a cultural juggernaut, when it's origins are so muddled in recent times?

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It strikes me that the most prevalent version of Christmas (in the UK at least) is the commercialised one. Maybe not even figure-headed by Santa now - it's a pure economy-driving emblem, especially since Covid began - and without joining the choir of purists, I can't recall the last mention of Jesus as being central to Christmas these days.

Of course the genius of "Christmas" is that it has it's own in-built self-defence mechanism - I am sure the word 'grinch' has already jumped to the top of your mind; it's like a reflex - but is that the actual 'grinch' from the film? Or is it a generic label applied to someone who seems to be questioning Christmas?

Alternatively maybe you thought 'scrooge'? And rather than the specific character from the source material (The Muppet Christmas Carol); again, just a shorthand for someone who is 'doing down' on Christmas?

[If you actually watch the film, it equates Christmas to Love - but that Love is conditional on Christmas happening. Ultimately, is that right...?]

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And - to be clear - I am not trying to harsh anyone's Christmas buzz. If Christmas is the thing for you; go for it. I'm hopefully not going to get in the way of you celebrating. I have a godchild that willingly participates in the great Christmas Lie-to-Children (thanks PTerry), and I wouldn't deprive her of that for a second - nor am I critical of their parents for participating in that great cultural tradition.

I think I am just trying to reason within myself, as to whether I buy into it anymore?

And - thus far - I think the only reasoning I can find is that this is a cultural narrative that has been embedded in me for a long long time - almost all of my life. But, whilst it was always a mix of Christianity and the jolly red man; it was never really explained *WHY*. I don't mean why these myths exist - shared cultural experiences knit together society in powerful ways - but what purpose do these have, other than to drive the economy, and give us all a shorthand to inflict ourselves on those dear to us, at one of the most daylight-limited times of the year.

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I have a little insight into the earlier winter traditions; Saturnalia, Yule; but adopting these outright feels like just exchanging one pre-made ideology for another.

So I am thinking that it is maybe time to seek clarity within myself on what I might look to observe in future.
It makes sense to not reject all winter festival celebrations, in part not to alienate myself from all of my current observations - but also because it still works as a great excuse for taking time off work, and spending that time with loved ones.

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Over the next few weeks, I am going to give real consideration to how I approach 'the year'. As you might be aware, the Ministry of Ginger's Department of Space and Time holds a Mogian Calendar - which I do take on-board, and align a number of things to - but do I wholeheartedly embrace the 'new year' within each Mogian year? Do I really understand what the two weeks of 'Yule' actually mean?

Only time will tell.