Christmas cards are done and the gifts are purchased. I am really excited this holiday, but am wondering why exactly. Not to sound like Charlie Brown, but I am wondering what Christmas really is or should be all about. Yes, smart aleck, it is about the birth of Jesus. I know that. But what does it mean to us... now? Is it "peace on earth, goodwill to our fellow man"? I try for that every day. So what makes Christmas special?
As a kid, Christmas meant a million Christmas presents, along with pigging out on crawfish bisque, gumbo, mirliton dressing, ham and fried sweet potatoes at Grandma and Aunt Barbara's house. The gumbo and crawfish bisque tasted better every year. Then my grandmother and aunt passed away within months of each other, so it was time to decide what my own traditions were. I think that the wrong path taken at this crossroad, in a lot of cases, leads down the road of yearly holiday depression, stress, and misery.
As we have gotten older, the decorating has become more important. Christmas cards with pictures of the kids go out every year. Baking cookies to share means a lot. And of course, making the list and checking it twice seems to become more enjoyable every year. The delight of a three and four year old opening presents is priceless.
Now, though, Christmas is about
our tradition. Over the years, we have adopted some of my husband's family traditions. Christmas Eve is his Italian mother's tradition, which includes a dinner of seven fishes. We celebrate with family and friends for the entire day, and then end the day with a sit down dinner for whoever stays to eat. This dinner takes my husband and his mother days to prepare. It is one of the most beautiful days of the year for us - a celebration of friends and food.
Our Christmas day has been adopted from from my husband's family. We visit the cemetary. Then we come home and open presents. My family and my husband's family come over for a day of relaxation with egg nog and champagne. Then we have another wonderful meal - usually prime rib cooked to perfection by my mother in law. A celebration for, with, and of family.
So, to answer my question, Christmas is about traditions that involve love, food, family, and friends. I feel very lucky every year at Christmas for everything I have been blessed with. And that - most of all - is what it is about.
