I lost my faith in God by thirteen, though not before giving the heavens every chance to make their case. I’d sit in my tree fort, legs dangling (it was the 70s and thus remarkably unsafe) thinking, “I’m here. Anytime now.” Perhaps I wasn’t doing it right, but the heavens never spoke to me. (I’ve always suspected that if there was a cosmic hotline, I was somehow calling the wrong number–the Almighty chats with my mom constantly.) Still, decades into agnosticism, I love Christmas. And I’m hardly unusual. At this point the holiday belongs to just about everyone, believers and not.
Why do I so love the season? For starters, it feels like many are, well, improved during the holidays. People seem kinder, more patient, and more willing to act decently toward strangers and even family. Groups manage to gather. Charitable donations spike. There’s music and sparkly lights and people happily wearing silly hats and ugly sweaters. I notice a lot more smiles.
And though I don’t believe in the Christian creed, Christmas helps me understand why unconditional forgiveness has such a hold on so many. (I’m a big believer in forgiveness.) Any holiday that makes people feel as though they are loved, whether by deities, uncles and aunts, store clerks or over padded toddlers, that’s the holiday for me.
So this year, I’ll send gifts, admire my decorated tree, have dinner with my family, and attend every holiday party I’m lucky enough to be invited to. (I miss parties–when I was younger it seemed as if everyone had them and now they’re like unicorns.) I’ll go caroling with friends and get teary during Silent Night. Mostly, I’ll try to send a little goodwill into the world and thank all those who send the same my way.
Whether you celebrate or not, I hope the season brings you peace, joy, and hot chocolate. Much love.
Thanks, Dabney, that’s a lovely sentiment. Faith doesn’t play a part in our holidays anymore, but I do enjoy the trappings. Our decorating has shrunk, but we keep parts of it like a tree, stockings, a lighted wreath, and our display of Snow Babies, every year. I do love the feeling of a decorated space. Right now it’s still dark out and I’m in my living room surrounded by lights and cheerful decorations.
Happy Holidays!
What is a Snow Baby? And thanks!
Snowbabies (one word, my bad) are collectable porcelain figurines that have been around for decades. Most are all off-white except for pink tinted cheeks and lips, but some have brighter colors. I like the white ones best. We don’t have a large collection, only about a dozen, which we set up with little trees and such for a display. We bought them over a few years, both new and used, back when the kids were younger. Remember Morgan Imports in Durham? They always had them. Will mentioned he liked them, so I bought a couple for him one year for Christmas. Google them! 🙂
Back in the day, I worked at Morgan Imports. I remember them now!
Small world! I loved that store and was so sad to see it close. It was basically a destination for the family each year because the holiday decorations were so beautiful. Fowlers was another great store I miss.
We have a sofa table behind our couch and it’s the perfect spot for the Snowbabies, visible but out of the way and unlikely to get bumped.
I wouldn’t be married to Dr. Feelgood were it not for the CH Fowlers!
Sounds like there’s a fun story there! I feel like the Brightleaf area was such a special place back then. It might still be, but for a while it felt empty and I haven’t been there in years.
I am not a Christian but I have always loved the colors and sounds of the holiday season in general and Christmas in particular. When my daughter was growing up, we would put up a tree and even had a tradition of shopping for tree ornaments the day after Thanksgiving. And also watch Ben-Hur and Home Alone!
Happy Holidays to you too, Dabney!
A lovely post Dabney. And Happy Holidays to everyone here at AAR!
Also Agnostic, but I love the Christmas season. I love the songs, the movies, the lights and decorations, the get togethers with friends and family, the food, etc. The only thing I don’t like is shopping (I avoid stores and malls this time of year). I never understood the whole war on Christmas thing that some of the conservative Christians go on about. I say Merry Christmas and I also say Happy Holidays because I recognize that there are hundreds of religions in this world and the majority aren’t Christian. When you say Happy Holidays you are wishing people a joyous season whatever they are celebrating. So Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año everyone.
I am another who is not religious but celebrates Christmas as a time for fun with family. I really appreciate our community at AAR and wish everyone Happy Holidays!
Hope you have a Happy Christmas and Happy New year Dabney, and to all ! ^_^
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season and the very best new year.