I
didn't grow up with one specific religion. I played on a catholic softball
team, went to a Lutheran youth group and twice a year celebrated the singing
Christmas tree and the story of Easter with my grandma at the Christian life
center. I even dipped myself a little in the Unitarian church after I
came out. This being said I don't have a particular religion that is important
to me. I do believe that if the group are good people and are living by moral
human standards than, to each their own. Isn't that we are all searching for
really, fellowship, love, faith and compassion? Believe in the God or
Goddess or Tree or Unicorn you want!
That
being said I am deciding NOT to do Christmas this year!! OMG GASP!!! Yes, I
know. Not going to store after store to look for that one toy every kid wants because
the TV says they want it. Jacking up
credit cards to pay for the most expensive presents your teens “need”. I can’t do it. I am sick of people walking up to my kids
asking them what they want for Christmas and they reply “xbox” or “macbook” Why not friendship? Why not snow?
Why not a great meal? Now don’t
get me wrong. I love Christmas. I love the music, the smells, the food, the
compassion that comes from normal non-compassionate people. But the commercial part is not ok for this
mom. Not only do I have limited funds
but its just plain greedy!
This
year I have decided to do a spin on things and celebrate Hanukkah! I know Hanukkah and Christmas
have absolutely nothing to do with one another other than they fall around the
same time. I have been doing my
research. I know this is technically not
a religious holiday. But all the same,
it is something new to teach my children. I also know there is a “gift giving” part to Hanukkah if you do choose too. This year we will study the celebration of
lights together. We will light the
menorah and we will sing dreidel, dreidel, dreidel. We will try different foods and watch movies
that have to do with the Jewish tradition.
I am pretty sure most will think I am crazy to miss out on Christmas
tree decorating and playing Santa Claus for the 17th year, but no I won’t. What I will enjoy is my kids learning
something new. Trying new foods and
maybe just maybe teaching them that the holiday season is not all about video
games and new shoes. Maybe it can be
about taking those new shoes to another kid that needs them.
I am sure we will go back to Christmas next
year, but maybe this time we will dive into the compassion part of it and give rather
than receive. Teach them the meaning of
Christmas that was taught to me. My mom
used to tell me “Believe in the magic of Christmas”
I believe in the magic of people now!!
Mazel
Tov
