Ah, it’s almost that time again. “The most wonderful time of the year”, says the song written back in 1963. It then goes on to say it’s the “hap, happiest time of the year” which I truly believe Christmas was back in the “good old days” when expectations were low and the maximum joy was being surrounded by family for the big turkey, stuffing and fixins’ dinner, followed by a lump of delightful Christmas pudding and mincemeat pies with brandy sauce or custard, usually all home-made. When cards were sent by mail to family and friends who we might not see much, or at all during the year, when small gifts of no significant value were given from the heart, when the sound of cracking a “bon bon” aka a Christmas cracker with a tissue crown inside that was mandatory to wear, and a riddle to keep you guessing was a fun tradition, when a glass of rum and eggnog or a tot of brandy were rare treats, when songs were sung after dinner by family members who had no singing skills but were spurred on by the cheap wine at dinner, and when all the dishes were hand-washed, most often by the ladies, while the men smoked cigars and chatted, all of which was not perceived as anti-feminism but rather an act of family bonding.
Our family festivities always lasted at least two days, before Boxing Day shopping became a craze for bargains on next year’s cards, wrapping paper and ornaments, and was the beginning of commercial greed and materialism that gradually ruptured the gatherings and spirit of Christmas. Fortunately, Santa and his elves continue to work hard at the North Pole, receive letters from children and sometimes sit them on his knee for a photo op, but he’s having a very hard time these days finding a real chimney to come down and that fairytale had to be tweeked for these times. Luckily, Rudolph and the other reindeers still appreciate the milk and cookies left for them by many excited children who find it hard to sleep that night before Christmas!
For many, many years, Christmas was always my favourite time of year. When the actual meaning of “Christ’s Birthday” was the cause for celebration, when Carolers appeared at your door singing songs of hope and glory, when Christmas trees were adorned with baubles and lights, tacky decorations were strewn everywhere, and wishing everyone a “very merry Christmas” was the standard politeness, instead of “happy holidays”, as the terms “woke” or “politically correct” were unknown. Although Christmas is not celebrated by many cultures and religions who now reside within our culture, and as much as Christmas is still a joyous albeit stressful time for many people, it is also the most depressing and sad time for those who have lost numerous of their loved ones, and the songs and festivities of Christmas bring back fond and loving memories of family gatherings in days gone by. Family and friends gathering together was the raison d’etre and merriest part of Christmas, before cell phones destroyed the joy of personal interaction and chatting around the dinner table or the fire, before the distraction of sports on TV on Christmas Day, before it was less work to go to a restaurant for Christmas dinner or order in a pre-made one, buying gifts people don’t want became an outdated obligation rather than a pleasure, and before the true meaning of Christmas became lost. My biggest hope is that we will always continue to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and that its true meaning of joy to the world, peace on earth and goodwill toward (wo)men will continue throughout each and every day of the year. Otherwise, bah humbug, but a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all!
Dame in the Esplanade
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