Why I Love Christmas and Always Will

Blogmas has proved to be a very difficult and eventually impossible task for me this year, although I managed to produce 13 articles based on my project of looking at Christmas Magazines Through The Years which are some of the most interesting articles I have written. Well worth looking at if you haven’t already – hint hint! Anyway, I wanted to add at least one more article to this year’s collection trying to put into words why the festive season has such a hold over me.

For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been a time that just seemed kinder and friendlier than any other time. For someone who had an often difficult time as a child that was an important mini respite. Even the children who delighted in bullying me at some of the Primary schools I attended modified their behaviour, perhaps to avoid the naughty list! The shops in the 1970s went over to Christmas mode with about 4 or 5 weeks to the big day. It was short enough to be a time of excitement, but long enough to be marked by a whole range of traditions. Advent Calendars had pictures not chocolate, and I couldn’t wait to see what would be behind the door every day. Children had the Christingle Service, the centre of which was the singing of carols like Away in a Manger with only the flickering lights of our candles. Cards were posted to my parents and they filled the lounge with names familiar and unfamiliar. At Primary School we had our own post box where we posted cards to our friends. They were emptied a couple of times a week and delivered to each class. The thrill of getting a card was a central part of the build up to the big day, and every time that happened I put the card in my bag and proudly put it on display in the lounge with the family cards. I knew Santa Claus would visit me sometime between going to sleep on Christmas Eve and waking up on Christmas Day.

When I was a teenager, and a very angry one at times, Christmas was the time of year when I was able to reconnect with my younger self. The nine lessons and carols services became a favourite of mine, even if it was somewhat disparagingly referred to as the ‘pop up toaster’ service by one of the senior members of the congregation! I still know it by that name! As well as this my friends and I went to the pub on Christmas Eve and followed that up by going to midnight mass. We were slightly merry but always treated the service with respect. It was a great way to start Christmas.

When I became a father myself I threw myself into creating the magic for my own children. I don’t know who enjoyed it more, me or them! I was a marvellous opportunity to construct the Christmas of my imagination and to a large extent I did. The fact that three of my children still love coming over on Christmas certainly indicates we got something right. Our family Christmas is a comfortable safe space for everyone and I will never tire of it.

Merry Christmas to all and however you celebrate or don’t I hope you have a good time.