Solipsus

For some Christmas is all about celebrating the journey of a husband and virgin wife, being no place at the inn and finally giving birth to baby Jesus in a stable full of oxen and donkeys. And therefore, what it should really be about, seeing as that is how Christmas came around.

For the majority though, it is about receiving materialistic gifts. Seeing what Santa their parents and families have bought them off their long wish list. Counting all the presents and seeing if they can beat how many their siblings have. The people who celebrate Christmas for the gifts that they receive.

On the other hand, we have the minority who love of Christmas present shopping, going home and wrapping their presents to other people; close family, distant family, colleagues, friends. And on Christmas day, watching their faces as the presents are finally opened, being thanked and loved. The people who celebrate Christmas for the gifts that they have given, and taking delight in making others happy.

For me though, and this may sound fairly common to you, or rehearsed (that is because it mainly is - bathing time is such a good time to go through ones thoughts), Christmas is all about being a child again. Going to sleep at an ungodly hour, still unable to sleep due to the excitement pouring through my body. Then getting up at crack of dawn to see what Santa has brought this year. Opening gifts and loving your family for it. Stuffing my face with chocolates even in the morning, then later the turkey, sausages, stuffing, and even stuffing wrapped in bacon, or sausages wrapped in bacon! The lose of responsibilities on ones shoulders; not having to worry about work, or school. That is what Christmas is about, feeling young again.

This post was heavily influenced by my lack of care today as I was playing Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii all day, reading His Dark Materials box set, stuffing my face with Cadbury’s chocolates, and even blowing bubbles 2 times the size of my head in the bath! It was as if I was 5 again.

What is Christmas really about for you? Is it the gifts? The birth of Jesus? The food? The giving? Or just the togetherness of family?

Merry Christmas everyone and a happy new year. Make it a good one.

Ben