Just for a minute.
When you take away the tree, presents, tunes and snow, what is left? It's all about peace on Earth and good will toward men, but I view it as a great deal more about festivities. You eat good food, invite your favorite relatives around, watch a classic film (more on them in a bit), delight the children with toys and treats, decorate the house and sing "Here Comes Santa Claus" alongside Elvis Presley. You're really happy and that puts you in a frame of mind to give good will toward men and all that.
People care about this holiday more than the rest. It's an icon of the whole year. But what I wonder is can you take all the trappings away and still keep Christmas? Does it work without tradition, family, merchandise and ornamentation? This is philosophy. If you don't celebrate a holiday, does it still exist? If you ignore or can't manage the extras, is it enough to cherish your family, have good will toward all, love thy neighbour and forgive those who have hurt you? Does that mean you have upheld the Christmas Spirit in your home? Does that mean, despite the lack of extras, you have had a good holiday?
I've seen four classic Christmas films now, and they all go in eerily similar directions.
The Bishop's Wife, in which an angel comes to remind the Bishop that he's mixed up his priorities, paying more attention to his job than his sad, neglected wife.
Miracle on 34th Street, in which a man who claims to be Santa Claus befriends a workohaulic mother and her jaded little girl and battles corporate greed.
A Christmas Carol (with Alastair Sim), in which a miserly old man is visited by ghosts who show him his wasted life, the sad state of affairs currently, and the tragic consequences that will follow if he doesn't mend his ways.
It's a Wonderful Life, in which a selfless, kind man in utter despair of his life is sent an angel to show him what the world would be like without him.
All four of these are wonderful films. Ah well. I can't solve this question right now. And I promised not to take up too much time, so.. Rant done. Maybe after Christmas, I'll have more evaluating, and even some conclusions...
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Does the Christmas tree make a sound if there's no one there to hear it fall? The quantum answer is no, unless it is observed, it doesn't happen :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Cecily!
Certainly a pause for thought :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy certain aspects of the holidays, however I tend to celebrate the Pagan festivals more than the Christian ones they feel more intune to the seasons and nature.
So, for me, the time of year between Solstice/Yule and Imbolc (February) is a time for taking stock, withdrawing and reflecting on the last year whilst contemplating the coming year. Celebrating the changing of the seasons and the next cycle of life. Probably new age claptrap to some though! :)
Christmas can be a very hard time of year for some. Unfortunately it can emphasis loss, grief and loneliness for some, I have known some people just want to hide away for the 2 weeks of the holidays. Sometimes I have to say I can't blame them.
The films you mention do indeed run along the same theme of 'stop thinking about the material things in life and concentrate on humanity and kindness to all' - not a bad message for anytime of year I think.
My favourite has to be Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim. He is one of my favourite actors. If you haven't see it check out 'Green for Danger' and also 'The Green Man' both great films of his.
Happy Christmas to you, however it s celebrated!
:)