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It’s that joyous time of year again – the
one we (young and old) all can’t wait Christmas carols, trimmings, lights,
shopping, baked goods, laughter, holiday movies, etc. . . .
well, almost all.
Hmmmm . . . what or how do you handle the
bah’ humbugs? I have one in my office.
He says twenty times a day – I hate Christmas.
What’s so strange about that is … he professes to be a very religious
man. Those two things never balance in my mind.
He goes around making a point that Christmas is so commercialized (yes-
it is) and Christmas is so materialized (yes- it can be) and Christmas is
annoying because people are hipped and charged (yes- they are) and people are just out-and-out rude (yes-some
I’m sure are) and Christmas just isn’t what it used to be (yes- maybe it
isn’t).
I’ve given this bah’ humbug thing a lot of
thought since this person in my office is GETTING ON MY NERVES! (And the season
has just started!)
I believe the holidays are spectacular!
Thanksgiving (I always like to mention this) is the start of all the
holidays. It’s our time to contemplate
what we are grateful for. It puts us in the mood and mind-frame of family and
giving and just a thump on the head of our many blessings. As with Thanksgiving, Christmas pulls
families and friends together. We are
reminded of the wonderment of the most important birth took place and the
humility and meaning of it all. I believe that should be our focus.
We celebrate with all the pomp and circumstance
in celebration. We fold our family and
friends in close to feel that birth. We are reminded to be grateful for the
births in our families, too. To celebrate with joy and happiness. We give gifts
because it’s a way of celebration . . . a gift of love.
The bah’ humbugs – I believe – are afraid
of that celebration because they are alone or insecure. . . even if they aren’t
alone. They are afraid of being hurt. Maybe
it reminds them they don’t have many friends – and there’s a fear of not being
invited to any parties. They are intimidated by the great happiness and joy it
brings and it undermines their quiet world.
They find gift giving uncomfortable – what if it’s not the right thing
and the receiver won’t like it? I don’t think the bah’ humbugs dislike the
birth of Jesus – they fear they aren’t worthy.
The next time you hear ‘bah’ humbug’ . . .
don’t argue . . . give attitude . . .or get
in a big discussion of ‘why they are trying to diminish Christmas.’ Feel
somewhat sorry for them, because they don’t understand the true meaning of
Christmas. They haven’t been touched by the wonder and joy of Christ’s birth.
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