Monday 22 December 2008

Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is two days away but somehow I feel a little jaded. For the first time, I am relieved that I have no Christmas parties to attend this year. In the past, I would feel rather left out if I didn't get any invites. Thankfully, I've never had to spend Christmas alone so far.

My first lonely Christmas was right after the divorce. The kids spent the holiday with their father but I went on a weekend getaway with my brother's family in Malaysia. Last year, I had a Christmas get-together with my school friends at Goodwood Park. Every year, we celebrate Christmas at best friend's house but they are away in Japan now. CH's best friend has gone to Korea, so we're on our own this time.

With no parties to attend, we'll have our own little celebration at home. I'm thinking of Jamie Oliver's roast chicken. The coconut cake recipe featured in The Sunday Times looks really good. Maybe I'll bake that cake too. CH will bring ice cream. I think we'll have a nice time.

Yesterday I took a cab to work after leaving my car at the workshop. The cab driver, obviously a Christian, started chatting about the meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas is lost, he moaned. Suddenly he asked me if I knew how the tradition of gift exchange came about?

"God gave his son Jesus as a gift to the world but now Christmas is all about giving presents, it has become so commercialised. Even worse, some companies practise gift-exchange amongst the staff and set a budget of $10 per gift, what is this coming to?" he exclaimed.

He asked if I had ever been to a church. Well, I studied in Anglican schools for many years. We had a chapel in our school and daily prayer sessions. Soon the journey was over and it was time for me to hop off but not before I chimed "Merry Christmas!"

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

a Merry Christmas to you too! Anyways, I think as we get older...the true meaning of Christmas becomes more important. We dont have anything planned either, but being home with family is good enough!

Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022) said...

That cab driver has a point. Christmas is so unlike the old days when it wasn't so commercialize. Now it's all about presents and nothing more ... siggghhh ... I know I sound like the Grinch la but I'm just waiting fr Christmas to pass by.

A Merry Christmas to you and family BT.

Blur Ting said...

Hey JY - Yes, being at home with ourloved ones is the best ever! Merry Christmas!

Blur Ting said...

Nick - Maybe this crisis will make people more appreciative of family and friends, instead of focusing on presents and partying.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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