Tuesday 11 December 2012

What to do? Bah, Humbug.

Everything is winding down for the year. I am not sure I approve of this, however inevitable it may be, as one's attention must be turned to consideration of celebrating Christmas. I am very out of practice at this, as Dr P did not celebrate it at all, and perhaps in some ways his attitude was contagious.
Never mind. My character must be stiffened, resolutions be made, and preparations made.

I have done the cake baking, not that anyone except myself cares about that. Cake baking in such  celebratory mode is good fun, character and tradition building, part of our glorious heritage,  etcetera. If it is good enough to buy artificial Christmas trees, lots of tinsel, and all manner of Ho Ho Ho things, some of us actually like to think about why we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and to consider our historical heritage and what we (or I) consider to be good, and probably better than various other traditions.

Mind you, when I broach such topics of the religious significance of Christmas, my children say things, like 'Well, you did not bring us up in your religious tradition'. They are right. No, I did not, but it makes me sad to see children regarding Christmas as a massive opportunity to be given heaps of toys. Acquisitiveness starts early these days.

And I absolutely hate the way big business advances each festival relentlessly months before there is any need to. Christmas things appear in early November. The amount of sheer tizz per square metre is incredible. Quantity is everything.

By mid-January there will very likely be hot cross buns in the bakeries. And lots of chocolate Easter eggs.

Perhaps I can try and get the grandchildren to learn some carols. I need some careful thought, and some helpful suggestions.

Perhaps I will buy a small tree, even if it is a European one. I may even decorate with nativity scenes, and candles.

3 comments:

Jan said...

Last year, hot cross buns were in my supermarket the day after Christmas. I'm by myself too and drew the line at making a cake. I did buy one at a fete so considered I was winning all round. Charity contribution, no cooking etc. Then I attended a huge family funeral, so the cake was eaten at the wake. It was an especially good cake so I was happy.

I have a couple of small trees, basically bare branches and I also have a beautiful Art Deco Nativity which I put up this morning. I bought it because I loved the curved shapes and the rich colours. When I put it up I thought it was probably nothing at all like the real thing and if dates are put together the men from the East were several years later. I like it so overlook these things.

My family had an early gathering last Sunday as that was the only time we all had free. I probably won't mark the occasion by myself. Music? I sang in choirs most of my life and still see the music n my mid when I hear certain pieces.

Hearing aids put an end to choral singing as they give an unusual tone and make me sing sharp.

Elephant's Child said...

I had no religious upbringing, and what I didn't have, I don't miss.
I am with you about the massive commercialisation. Essentially it strikes me as at odds with anything that Jesus taught. Profitable though. Bah humbug from this corner too.
We will have a family gathering some time in January to celebrate, adding some of our own bithdaya into the miz, since other branches of my family are either gone or celebrating elsewhere.
I have made cake, but have not decorated anything yet. This weekend. Perhaps.
In the meantime - please get all the enjoyment you can out of the season - a piece of cake, a cup of tea and a book sound pretty good to me.

Frances said...

I speculate that the transistor radio gradually stopped families from singing, IP. And singing also left schools, so carols became just those maddening songs churning out around supermarket aisles.
The excess of cheap bling has swamped the simplicity at the heart of Christmas....maybe?
A celebration by oneself is still a celebration. I would be inclined to have some champagne rather than tea, though!