So this is Christmas...

I cannot say that I have had a traumatic childhood experience involving a beloved commercial Christmas character, or anything as outrageous as what Augusten Burroughs describes. Nor are my childhood Christmas memories as quirky as those of David Sedaris (see his book "Christmas on Ice"). Yet I maintain this anti-Santa outlook on December 25th, which I am willing to admit does little except make me look bitter and hateful. This is not a commentary on why you should "keep Christ in Christmas!" because while it is a Christian holiday first and foremost, the majority of holiday traditions most American households seem to celebrate have no biblical pretense. In fact, based on astronomy, scientists have determined that Jesus was most likely born sometime in August.
Yes it is a bit sad that a major religious holiday has been transformed into something that is most easily identified by a man in a red suit most likely made famous in the United States by Coca Cola.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas trees, giving gifts, baking, and gingerbread men, but there are many commercial aspects of the holidays that I am just not comfortable with. I am aware that this is coming from someone who put the donkey statue in place of the baby Jesus statue in the manger.
Whether one chooses to observe "Santa", Rudolph, or any other character used by Macy's to promote holiday shopping is a personal choice.

I took a class in the "Psychology of Love" last semester. It turned out to basically be a workshop for couples on relationships and how to tell if you were "in love" versus infatuated. Conveniently enough this class spanned months 3-6 of James and I dating. I can guarantee he was glad when that semester was over! A common start of a sentence for me was "I learned in love class...".
Well one of the things I did learn in "love class" was that it is a good idea to date for at least 2 birthdays before you even decide to commit.
Obviously we have decided to not take this advice, but I understand where the professor was coming from. We learned from our birthdays that we had different ideas of how to celebrate, yet why should this be any different with Christmas?

Would one person's "pro-Santa" attitude cause a problem for the "anti-Santa" person?
Does one person watch Frosty the Snowman "religiously" on Christmas eve?
What about gifts? What is appropriate?
What defines excess and greed? How do we give back to our church/community?

The answer I am learning with all of these issues is the same as any other difference in beliefs of values. A healthy dose of communication and compromise.

I am realizing the need to ask the questions,

What traditions are important to you?
How are we doing gifts?
Stockings?
What holiday foods do you enjoy?

As I grow as a Christian and try to embrace the religious meaning of the holiday season, I look forward to my first Christmas with James as we create our own holiday traditions.
There may be reindeer involved...I can't really say.

But I can say one thing...there will be snacks.