I think I come across as an anti-traditionalist, but I'm really just typically against tradition for the sake of tradition. In so many cases that's harmful and counter-productive.
Given that, it seems odd to me that I thrive off of Christmas traditions. Though I almost always over-think, I won't go into the origins of the Christ Mass, arguments for tie-ins to ancient pagan rituals or festivals, the evils of Santa Claus, or even launch into a tirade about the commercialization of the holiday. I just love the Christmas season and I'm willing to discard almost all of the controversy about its traditions. I don't think I do this with anything else in existence. Just Christmas.
This post will be unusual in that it doesn't examine things from a spiritual aspect. It's pretty materialistic, I guess, and really shows how self-centered I can be. Run with me on that and try to avoid raking me over the coals, please. You may identify with something here (including vintage toys and Christmas music)
I had an epiphany the other day.
It's possible that the memories you have yet to make will turn out to be better than the ones you wish you could experience again. I haven't always felt like that. Nosiree. Here's some extended background.
I'm sentimental about Christmas past. Incredibly so. I still have my first Christmas stocking. I occasionally Google for toys from the era of the early 70's so I can imagine the excitement all over again. I remember Shoot Out In Space, the coveted Evel Knievel motorcycle (right now there's one for $229 at Amazon.com, my cheap-but-so-awesome Starbase Zeus playset, Gnip Gnop, and much more Christmas toy goodness. I always wanted a Stretch Armstrong but my dad said it was a sadistic toy (that's when I learned the general meaning of "sadist").
My favorite Christmas music tends to be from the 40's and 50's. My dad had so many albums from this era and that's what we listened to every Christmas when I was a boy. I've gone to Amazon.com and iTunes and dug up numerous Christmas albums by the Ray Conniff Singers, Billy Vaughn, Arthur Fieldler, The Abbey Choir, etc. I can't overstate how much I generally dislike new Christmas songs or how apathetic in general I am toward traditional Christmas songs that have been re-recorded since the 80's.
At some point I graduated to the "where did all the magic of Christmas go?" stage. I think I was around 13 years old, but I'm not sure. It was mind-bogglingly terrible. For years afterward, from the time I was a teenager through my adulthood (which is still going on) I tried to find decorations, specific nativity sets, ornaments, etc., that would remind me enough of those Christmases long ago to make me feel that ultra-incredible sense of child-like excitement and "magic." It never came back. It was a sad and horrible feeling -- almost as bad as a loved one passing away each Christmas. I can't describe it. Some of you may have experienced this or may still experience it. Or I could be the only one who's completely messed up.
Our children came along and although I've loved every Christmas since then and have found great pleasure in seeing their excitement at Christmas, I've found that it's impossible to recapture Christmas magic from my own childhood. And honestly, that's made me sad. (I think it's been crazy selfish of me, too.)
A week ago I was listening to Darius Rucker's "Candy Cane Christmas" and realized that I love the song. Yes, really. I almost I enjoy it in the same way I enjoy Christmas music from my childhood. Later in the day it dawned on me that one of my favorite Christmas albums ever is Relient K's "Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer" (an incredible value at $6.99 for 17 songs at Amazon.com). A day or two later, as I was putting up Christmas decorations with my daughter, now 12 years old, it hit me that over the years I've been experiencing some crazy kind of new "Christmas magic."
I do love to remember Christmas with my mom, dad, and brother. I still enjoy Googling for vintage G.I. Joe stuff in an almost obsessive manner. But I'm grateful that I eventually came to realize that it's just possible -- dare I say likely? -- that the Christmases I've yet to experience with my family and friends may have a special, new "Christmas magic."Even better than my childhood Christmases? I'm not sure, but I'm more than willing to see what happens.
Am I the only one who thinks it's more odd to not hate traditions for the sake of traditions? Completely agree with the new Christmas song hate, it's less about Christmas and more about the idea people paint about Christmas. And their Christmas, might I add. What I'm trying and failing to say here, is that to me, Christmas is more about the 'feel' rather than what it really is. Disregarding the Christian festivities completely, what Christmas you grow up with it your Christmas, and obviously, that doesn't last forever. People say Christmas is getting worse in that time, but I just see it as changing into something we're not used to.
Before this comment reaches novel proportions, what I'm trying to say: It's better to make a new Christmas, not to emulate or mourn the one you lost.This makes sense to me, definately-> 'It's possible that the memories you have yet to make will turn out to be better than the ones you wish you could experience again.' Of course, I have no right to comment at all, but your post caught my attention.
You're willing to see what happens? I don't think you have much choice.
It's good to enjoy Christmas music and have traditions that are special. I like the old time carols, that incorporate Christ's story into their heavenly melodies. I love my nativity scene, and I also like my grandmother's old santa claus that bellows out "Ho Ho Ho" every time you walk by. We've trimmed things down, with a very small tree, rather than a large one, and do spend time in worship at church in thought over the Advent. I think Christmas can be cherished for what it really is, and can be enjoyed for the spirit in which you want to enjoy it with some of the non religious aspects as well. This makes it easier for me to have small teaching moments for my non Christian grandchildren, while enjoying the things they are used to enjoying this time every year.
About Me: Former worship pastor, now meeting and living in an "organic church" setting after a two-year journey through the Word, comparing it to the system I'd been a part of my whole life. I'm a musician and a very disorganized deep-thinker.
By Dean Lusk
A week ago I was listening to Darius Rucker's "Candy Cane Christmas" and realized that I love the song. Yes, really. I almost I enjoy it in the same way I enjoy Christmas music from my childhood. Later in the day it dawned on me that one of my favorite Christmas albums ever is Relient K's "Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer" (an incredible value at $6.99 for 17 songs at Amazon.com). A day or two later, as I was putting up Christmas decorations with my daughter, now 12 years old, it hit me that over the years I've been experiencing some crazy kind of new "Christmas magic."
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Comments (3)
Am I the only one who thinks it's more odd to not hate traditions for the sake of traditions? Completely agree with the new Christmas song hate, it's less about Christmas and more about the idea people paint about Christmas. And their Christmas, might I add. What I'm trying and failing to say here, is that to me, Christmas is more about the 'feel' rather than what it really is. Disregarding the Christian festivities completely, what Christmas you grow up with it your Christmas, and obviously, that doesn't last forever. People say Christmas is getting worse in that time, but I just see it as changing into something we're not used to.
Before this comment reaches novel proportions, what I'm trying to say: It's better to make a new Christmas, not to emulate or mourn the one you lost.This makes sense to me, definately-> 'It's possible that the memories you have yet to make will turn
out to be better than the ones you wish you could experience again.' Of course, I have no right to comment at all, but your post caught my attention.
You're willing to see what happens? I don't think you have much choice.
It's good to enjoy Christmas music and have traditions that are special. I like the old time carols, that incorporate Christ's story into their heavenly melodies. I love my nativity scene, and I also like my grandmother's old santa claus that bellows out "Ho Ho Ho" every time you walk by. We've trimmed things down, with a very small tree, rather than a large one, and do spend time in worship at church in thought over the Advent. I think Christmas can be cherished for what it really is, and can be enjoyed for the spirit in which you want to enjoy it with some of the non religious aspects as well. This makes it easier for me to have small teaching moments for my non Christian grandchildren, while enjoying the things they are used to enjoying this time every year.