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nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
sanett
im dreaming of a happy
issue:
8, summer 2008
christmas
Christmas is a time of family and friends getting together, of community, graciousness and generosity. Sanett reconsiders what has become 'our way' and makes some significant suggestions that could make Christmas a meaningful time in your relationships. The Jones' family tradition is to get together on Christmas Eve. Everyone plays their part in preparing the feast: organizing, cooking and decorating. They always eat too much and gather around the Christmas tree in the living room where Dad reads the story about Jesus' birth from the Bible. After his prayer, they hand out gifts, enjoy each other's company and go to bed. On Christmas morning they go to church as a family and share a light Christmas lunch. The rest of the day is usually spent resting and watching old family movies or paging through hard-cover albums, remembering the wonderful times they've had. Well, this is not quite true. Actually the Jones' do not really get together as a family during the year – their lives are just too busy and diverse – but this is Christmas and after all it is very important to Mother Jones to have the family together on Christmas Eve, so they make the effort. She did most of the cooking and hard work. It took her a few days, but she is satisfied and feels rewarded just to see all her children and grandchildren around one big table. After over-indulging, everyone tries to stay awake while Father Jones reads from the Bible. The grandchildren are half asleep, but quickly wake up after granddad's “amen”. It is time to open the gifts! Everyone politely thanks each other after opening their gifts. No one seemed to really get the gift they were hoping for - they also feel disappointed, since the effort they put into selecting gifts did not seem to really affect the other family members. Once the gifts are dispensed with, everyone is suddenly very tired. On the way out, when Mother Jones asks who will be joining them for the Christmas Service the next day, the takers are few and she knows this Christmas day is going to be a very restful one indeed, maybe even a bit lonely. Long after the guests have left, while she is still cleaning, she wonders why she does not feel fulfilled. What is Christmas about? Not a simple question, when you think about it. Summer holiday, camping, sea, sand and sunburn? Bustling malls full of people hunting for the perfect gift? Putting up a wreath on the front door and a Christmas tree in the living room? Jingles on radio, TV and in the shops? Quality family time around a braaivleis? What is CHRISTmas about? I think Mother Jones would answer, “it is about the birth of Jesus.” Yet scholars and pastors readily tell us that Jesus was most likely not born on December 25th. It is actually very interesting to read or listen to their arguments in which they often conclude that Jesus' birth could rather be placed in March or September, according to our calendar. There are even some who feel that we should not celebrate Christmas, because its very origins are pagan and most of the Christmas traditions that we still celebrate (for example decorating green trees) are also pagan. Not to even mention the whisperings about the dangers of playing the Santa game with your young children! I know that I am free to choose whether I want to celebrate Christmas or not. It is certainly not prescribed as a festival in the Bible, but I believe I am also free to celebrate it with Santa, Christmas trees, delicious food, mistletoe and wreaths, or not - those things are simply traditions and are only as meaningful as the people I share them with. For me, Christmas-time is about relating to God and also about relating to myself, family and friends. So whatever and however we choose to celebrate this year, let us make it meaningful. I am going to take some time to think about this. I am going to discuss it with my family and friends and then I am going to let that guide us to new and exciting ways of enjoying God and each other.
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