Christmas Day is nearly here and it causes me to pause and ponder on the significance of this time and what it can mean to us in our world today.
Paganism:
Today, December 22nd is the Summer Solstice in Australia and for us, the longest day of the year. Historically this was a time of pagan ritual and celebration and included a festival type atmosphere including the exchanging of gifts. Misteltoe was used at that time for its healing properties but also in Roman times as a symbol of peace, when weapons were laid to rest and forgotten - for a brief period anyway. Because I'm a celtic lass, I like to imagine and can somehow identify with those pagan times of worship, ritual and celebration of the Gods of nature, namely the sun - but what really has changed??
Christianity:
Of course with the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas became a time of huge religious significance and celebration worldwide. Many of the religious festivals now focus on the worship of Christ, a Holy time of thanksgiving and peace to mankind.
Santa Claus:
Many of us now, bemoan the Christmas season, the tyranny of adverts to buy, buy, buy, the commercialism of gift giving and the pressure of the day itself. Interestingly, Santa Claus himself has been around for a very long time - he is not just a commercial clone whipped up to incite mass spending during December! Santa Claus (St Nicholas) actually had his origins in 4th century Turkey, where it is believed he was generous in nature and had a love of children. He became popular in Europe after his death but it was in Holland that his legend was kept alive and children put out their clogs to be filled with gifts by Sint Nikolaas, which later changed to Sinterklass. When Dutch migrants moved to America, the common name of Santa Claus came about.
Christmas Trees:
Fir trees had been decorated in Germany in the 16th Century, and became popular in Victorian England when Prince Albert brought a Fir tree from his native Germany. They subsequently became known as Christmas Trees.
Family:
Whilst all these things have underpinned our rituals surrounding Christmas - one thing has endured above all else and that is the significant meaning of family on this one special day of the year. It is a time of coming together, a time of sharing, a time of celebrating not only the joys of the previous year, but also acknowledging the tough times we have encountered, that we are here, we are survivors!
The strength I get at this time of year is from my family. The ones closest to me are those that give me inner strength, help me get through those difficult times and love me no matter what, even if they dont always agree or support what I am doing, I know they are my family and if push comes to shove they are going to be there for me!
This coming year, it is they who will teach me the biggest lessons; who will make me laugh, make me cry, frustrate the hell out of me, but they will be there for me when no-one else will and they will love me, no matter what. That is the meaning of Christmas to me.
Whilst I understand that for many, family traditions are painful or not possible, I would like to offer the following:
- If you can get together - by text, by phone, by email, by letter or in person - do it. Tomorrow might be too late!
- If you can say "I'm sorry" - it can mean so much and cost so little
- If you can turn up and say "Hi, I'm here after all" - it can uplift and comfort ,beyond words
The significance of Christmas for me, is in the relationships I have with those I love and those who matter to me beyond money spent or the best gift given - for me it is the love and the being and always will be.
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