Please don't pelt my home with rotten tomatoes after reading this. (You may however raise your eyebrows in shock, since I can't see you, I don't mind.)
Now first things first, I am quite a happy person. In fact, I am often downright cheerful. (Annoyingly so perhaps?) I won my highschool's "Miss Congeniality" award two years running. I sing when I get up in the morning and chatter non-stop to my cats, William, my plants, (which are mostly dead by the way although I don't think from boredom).
(I'm including the above information only so you can see I am not normally a crotchety, grumpy person.)
But there's something about the time before Christmas that puts my back up. I always want to ignore it all. Just go along on my merry way not getting caught the blind, cold, glittering sadness of a world trying to fill its empty heart with anything and everything available.
I don't listen to Christmas carols. I am not really a huge decorator. I can't stand the claustrophobia and rampant materialism of the "Christmas rush". I don't care at all for "tradition". The sort that must be upheld whether you like it or not. I don't care for heavy expectation and obligations.
So advent arrives, a time of contemplation and preparing the heart for the eventual joy of Christmas and I grit my teeth and light the first candle and reluctantly pray that God truly opens my heart to the joy of the season...
What I do like is Christmas itself. I like low key. (I'm a "low key" sort of person.:) I like relaxed, joyful, meaningful celebration. Easy, flowing conversation and laughter. I like mass on Christmas Eve, pajamas all day long on Christmas day. I like vivid and beautiful reminders that this is Christ's birthday we are celebrating. I like the magic of Christmas Eve and the excitement of Christmas morning. I like being surrounded by love and happiness. I like peace and joy. And well, quite honestly, if I like all these things then really I like what matters. So, I guess I'm not all grinch after all...;)
So that's what I'm off to create and discover peace and joy this advent, this coming Christmas and from the bottom of my heart, I hope you all find the same. God bless.
Love, C. (AKA: Grinch Extraordinaire;)
15 comments:
I may have found a kindred friend! Everything about this post speaks volumes about my unspoken hangups of not being able to truly simplify throughout Christmas & Advent. I like that what really matters to you is having peace, joy, blessings & love all the way through the festive time. It also paints a picture of carrying this merriment throughout the whole year. I can happily say that all of this quoted can be a stepping stone for a whole lot of sharing wisdom with all of us. Thank you Colleen.
"I don't listen to Christmas carols. I am not really a huge decorator. I can't stand the claustrophobia and rampant materialism of the "Christmas rush". I don't care at all for "tradition". The sort that must be upheld whether you like it or not. I don't care for heavy expectation and obligations. "
Grinch extraordinaire? I think you have stolen my title young lady...lol...I could have written this post but I think you already know where I stand with all things Christmas.
I don't think we stand alone Colleen...I, like you, will focus on those things I love about the celebration of Jesus' birthday...I am seeking out ways to be merry and spread love and joy to all mankind during this time instead of focusing on what I don't like or on what breaks my heart during this time of year.
Since I am low keyed also I tend to enjoy the simple, the relaxed and the impromtu things of this time of year.
We are being hit with snow right now and I am almost hoping we are snowed in so that we can play in the snow and do some baking and some crafts tomorrow..things that we could give as gifts.
Peace, joy, love and hugs to you dear friend...I love your thoughts on this...I love that I don't stand alone. XX
Ah, I don't think you are a Grinch! I think all the stuff you speak about in the beginning of your post is just plain exhausting if nothing else.
I think simplifying is the way to really focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Now with a little one running around, it has REALLY reminded me of what Christmas is about, I want to instill that on my child so much. I don't want present after present ripped open with hardly a thanks-I want a warm, relaxing time with family, thanking God for the birth of His Son. I want my kidlet to want to think of others in this season. I want to read Luke 2 Christmas Eve and take cookies to the nursing home...you know what I mean? :)
The real meaning of the season. That is what you embrace. I think that is just perfect Colleen.
Dear Colleen,
I agree, even if I'm celebrating my way.
We are privileged who can choose our own way to honor and rejoice the greatest wonder of all; that Christ son of God also became son of man, born by a poor virgin in a stable.
It's true; there were lots and lots of angels to celebrate as well as the poor shepherds and later on the wisemen from afar.
I love the Christmas gospel, I love the hymns, esp. Mahalia Jackson singing Silent Night or Sølvguttene singing Deilig er Joren.
I cry, from joy over and over again.
(And I'm really not a weeper.)
I sing along, even if I cannot sing.
I read Stephan Zweig's "true story" about Georg Friedrich Handel and his creation of "the Messiah". I even tag along with the Hallelujah choir, and I still cannot sing. But some day I know I will.
I unpack all the boxes from the attic, and first pick out the advent calendar embroidered by my mother 54 years ago, for me and my brother.
I then decorate with mostly homemade angels and nisser and a manger, a Nativity scene containing a wild mix of home made figures, animals and angels and even small modern people assembling from every corner of the earth the adore the new born miracle.
Someday I must make an exhibition of daughter Serina's wonderful products through 20 years. I love each and everyone of them.That's why a Christmas Craftshop is the apex of my advent celebration. I'll have one here tomorrow, in our home with six of my friends.
Christmas Eve in Church with my little family, my mother, my brother, Gunnar and Serina.My brother now has taken up reading the Christmas Gospel at the dinner table after my granddad and my father.
Gifts and shops are utterly stress.
That part of Christmas has sent me in bed, and even in hospital many a time.
Still, there have to be some gifts for my daughter under the tree..
There has to be many ways of celebrating the greatest wonder of all.
Like everyone of us has to find his individual way to Jesus.
I wish you a peaceful and interesting wandering towards our common goal.
From Felisol
Thank you so much for sharing how you all feel ladies! I'm really very heartened that you understand what I mean and are also striving for genuine celebration! :)
Alicia, perhaps we are kindred spirits in this regard! I think it's so interesting that in this time we live in where we have so much materially, there are so many people seeking a different sort of abundance...a simple one...what you said on your blog about "abundant giving" was just beautiful!
Lori, I know and admire where you stand! It really gives me hope to see your honesty shining through all the nonsense! I know what you mean, I very much value that precious, unexpected time with others too...I hope you get snowed in and are able to enjoy your precious littles all day long!:) Thank you for commenting my friend!
Cheyanne, that's exactly what I want! I think of how the values of Christmas were instilled in us, along with a real sense of fun and magic as well and long to be able to impart the same meaning in my own family! And really, that's where it all starts! Thanks for understanding this. For what it's worth I think you will succeed in doing an amazing job with your little girl.
Thank you so much Becky! I think it is what we are all after deep down, isn't it? God bless and enjoy this season!
Felisol, I love you for the depth of thought you put in to everything! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective! And you are so right, celebration is a huge part of Christmas and a valid one for sure.You sound as though you truly treasure the meaning of Christmas and celebrate it in a unique and beautiful way! Can you please tell me what book you mean by Stephan Zweig? I'd love to read it. I also love certain Christmas hymns, my favorite being "The Huron Carol" which is a native american song from Canada actually. Written by a Jesuit priest so that the natives of Canada could understand the concept of Christmas. It is truly beautiful.
Thank you for a meaningful comment...I think I would like you very much if I met you. You have a real understanding and wisdom.
So thank you again ladies for your thoughts and God bless you all with peace and joy this year! It means a lot that you take the time to share what's on your heart with me!
Dear Colleen,
First of all, I'm not particularly wise, just twice our age.
I guess, however, that I don't fit in any "form" though, I try think and search on my own and in company with kindred spirits.
When I'm tired, I can be really, scary bitchy.
I'm not happy about it, and I try to live as carefully as possible, but there are days...when even my mirror is cracking up.
Now, about the book.
A collection of stories about real people throughout history.
The one about the resurrection of Georg Friedrich Handel is by far the best.
In Norwgian the book is called "Evige øyeblikk", in German "Sternstunden der Menschenkeit". I don't even know if it's translated into English.
I hope you can find it. If not, I've got a pdf file with the German text. I can send it, if you want to use google translator.
Please let me know, if I can be of any help.
Yours Felisol
Well, we all have our time when we are terrible to live with. :) I do think you're wise but maybe what I really mean is that you have a lot of depth to the way you see things and through your words I can see you do think for yourself, you seem to simply be who you are!
Thanks for the info about the book, maybe I can look for it on amazon? I know they have a few of his books translated into English but I haven't heard of that one...I'll look and see and then perhaps get back to you! Thank you Elise!
Wonderfully put, I too abhor the mad spending of money just because, just family, quiet, jammies, food, THAT's how to celebrate! "I don't listen to Christmas carols. I am not really a huge decorator. I can't stand the claustrophobia and rampant materialism of the "Christmas rush". I don't care at all for "tradition". Well said!
Although I can't even compare your religious experience of Christmas to mine (your faith is so deep and beautiful, mine has never been so strong and now what's left of it is shaking and falling apart) I have to say that the relaxed, joyful Christmas with family and friends, filled with love and laughter and pecae is the dearest time of the year for me. When I was a child, during Advent, we were all going to church every evening (the masses to worship the Blessed Mother) and I just adored it. I loved all the advent songs and then going back home holding lanterns- we all had them- and spreading the joy and hope of this season... It's so important that we stop and think about what really matters. I love your thought on this and wish you a blessed Advent and a trully joyfull and wonderful Christmas.
Ps. Miss you tons!
First off, thanks so much for visiting my blog...it sounds like we have lots in common and I am so happy to have found a new friend. On top of the art, travel, etc...we have this in common...I too have never been a big fan of all the poppy Christmas music or the movies or the crazy rush to buy gifts and decorate...it has always shocked most people because I too am a very happy person (although I didn't win Miss Congeniality...go you) but I also love everything that you love about Christmas. All the important things. You are not a Grinch...you just know the real beauty of the season and you celebrate it your way :)
I love Christmas, too! I LOVE Midnight Mass, and then Mass again on Christmas Day! If you will remember, my darling, we Never opened gifts until Church was over! Jesus First and foremost! And after Midnight Mass, a happy birthday Baby Jesus cake! Nothing like that to help children realize whose birthday it is! Its all about Him!
Judi, we do think alike!:)
Nina, your advents as a child sound so beautiful, we had nothing like that! It sounds so charming and picturesque and lovely! Do people still do that? I'd love it! I hope that your advent is filled with all things beautiful and peaceful my friend. You deserve it so much. I miss you too...so now that you know what a grinch I am, do you and Mike want to come out for Christmas? You'd be so welcome! :) Love you.
Briony (I love your name by the way:), thank you so much for the comment! We can stand together in this! Funny people get surprised by this though...I am far more surprised when they are grouchy and surly the whole year and suddenly decide to become beams of sunshine during Christmas and then go back to usual as soon as it passes.:) I hope you have a fabulous advent and Christmas!
I certainly do remember Mom and I loved Christmas at home. Mass is my favorite part as well! Love you! Smooch!:)
Oh Colleen, rather than pelt tomatoes, I want to reach out and hug you across the miles. Christmas Carols are as far as I go - the rest of the season has always been an anticlimax growing up. And now I've been so lucky to have a husband who doesn't believe in the whole she-bang either. So we're an old stick-in-the-mud couple, come Christmas time. It's just us and we're love it that way!
I GET YOU! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes! Sometimes I feel like such a bah humbug and I'm really not. I just don't enjoy the pressure to purchase overpriced gifts that most of the people I love really don't even want. It's about being together, eating good food, baking, and being very thankful to God for His goodness. Very well written! ~Serene
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