Love, actually.

There's a lot of pressure to say "happy holidays" or have a "holiday party" (vice the "Christmas party" of days past).

Am I aware that there is, indeed, more than one holiday that traditionally falls in December? Absolutely. Do I recognise that Chanukah and Yule and non-Christian holidays are, indeed, present? Yes, I do.

That does not mean, however, that I'm not going to wish someone a Happy Christmas after they wish me a "Happy Holidays".

Sure, chalk it up to my religion (Roman Catholic) or my political leanings (pro-life, pro-family, pro-military, pro-business, pro-job, pro-government reform with Libertarian principles somewhere in realm of "conservative"), or whatever helps you sleep at night.

The fact of the matter is that we don't go "holiday" shopping. Y'all, we go "Christmas shopping" and send out "Christmas cards" and buy "Christmas stockings". How many children are opening their stockings on Secular Reception-of-Presents day? Take out the sock and you've got a birthday! Take out Jesus and you've got... not much. (Spare the "Oh, but there's Yule!! That's a valid holiday! What about Chanukah? (And why are you spelling it with a C??? CNN TOLD ME IT WAS HANUKKAH!!!) Or Kwanzaa? (OMG ARE YOU AN ANTI-SEMITIC RACIST?? DO YOU VOTE REPUBLICAN, AS WELL????) And what about the traditional meals and exchanging of presents and the togetherness and the singing! DON'T FORGET THE SINGING! THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! It's all about food, presents, candy, and the good ol' Festivus spirit!" for someone who actually really does care. Unfortunately for those holding the "but it's holiday spirit" sentiments, I really don't give a good-gosh-darned-hoot-and-holler.)

Christmas, though, IS a birthday. It's the birth of Jesus that most people are celebrating ("Christians stole it from the Pagans, yadda yadda yadda, Christians cause war, John Lennon said so... blah blah blah, DIE CAPITALIST/IMPERIALIST/CONSUMERIST/CHRISTIAN/MONOTHEISTIC [pick one] SWINE!!!" et al, ad nauseum) and it's this that brings people flooding en mass to churches around the world and it's this that causes that great surge of feasting and joy and... dare I say?... love?

There's a reason that there've been so many films made about Christmas, and why the best and most popular are about the Christmas spirit... not the "holiday spirit". Maybe the "spirit of the holiday", but that "holiday" is Christmas. It's not a dirty word, my dear, it's alright to say "Christmas". Really, no one will hurt you, you're safe.

So what makes Christmas?
Is it the presents, snow, and mistletoe? Is it the tree? Is it the really great fruitcake?
That's up to you. Everyone has their own traditions and beliefs. For every person out there, there are that many different systems of belief.

I don't really care about presents. I asked for a kitchen gadget this year, and that was it. I've also lived on islands most of my life. The only times I've seen snow were when I visited my grandparents. As for the mistletoe... No thanks. The tree I can do without (though it is mighty pretty once it's all lit-up and decorated) and the fruitcake usually needs a few days to properly soak and ferment before I'll eat it.
For me, Christmas is about love. It's about God's love and it's about the love I have for my family and extended family and network of friends. For me, Christmas is waking up on that morning and having that day with my family and that sense of love that permeates the day. It's -- to me -- about filling myself with love for my fellow man and for my (very tolerant, very forgiving, and all-around indescribable) God.

I guess when it gets down to it... to the bare bones... to the meaning of Christ's birth... Christmas is REALLY about love, actually.

I don't think I'll attempt to change that.


I've got Christmas to celebrate and scarves to knit and a house to clean.


Have a happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.