by trujw 42 Replies latest jw experiences
I'm still trying to figure out the holiday thing. I can finally *almost* get to thinking that birthdays aren't so evil.... (especially knowing that the bible character, Job, had children who celebrated their birthdays! Job, chapter 1, verse something...)
So I'm not at that point yet... only had my "blinkers" fall off about a year ago. And yes, I've read and researched almost everybook that's been recommended here and on other sites, lol.
Don't really care about xmas. Too commercialized, I guess. I like the parties and the lights. And when I started partaking in neighborhood and office xmas parties, I had no issues. It was fun, but nothing felt immoral or demonic about it. No different than if it were in July, except people seemed a little more joyful.
Now, Halloween. Even as a kid growing up, I secretly loved Halloween. Even though I didn't get to go trick or treating, or dress up, I absorbed everything I could. TV shows, movie marathons, even walking around the costume section in the stores was a thrill. So when I actually, as an adult, went to my first Halloween party, it was fun as hell. It's my favorite holiday and I look forward to some kind of party when it rolls around.
i still haven't done christmas, but last halloween was my first halloween since i was maybe 6 or 7.
it was a great experience. i've always liked halloween, even as a jw.
so that day, started off terrible. i was depressed as can be. didn't really want to do anything, etc.
a friend called me up and asked if i wanted to go check out the parade downtown, so i figured, "why not"?
i dressed up as tyrone biggums, had a great time at the parade, was offered REAL CRACK from a stranger (surreal experience), and ended up bar hopping in lower manhattan. probably one of the best experiences i've ever had
if you have the opportunity to do halloween and you have a couple good ffriends to go along with, DO IT!
For those of us who were born in, isn't it great? We were denied the joy of Xmas and other holidays as children, but for enduring this injustice, as adults were are now rewarded with the stressful part of the holidays, including shopping for gifts, arranging family get togethers and dealing with the various family problems that occur around the holidays.
Notwithstanding the above, I do love celebrating the holidays. I'm a little bitter though that the WTBTS ruined my childhood holidays.
On our first Christmas after we got out my husband and I, both born-ins, he third generation, bought an artificial Christmas tree and some decorations which I still have. We bought each other lots of tiny presents, mostly second -hand books and chocolate because when we left the JWs we were very poor, of course, living in a rented flat at the top of an old house owned by a lovely old lady. I can honestly say it was my best Christmas ever. I remember the coloured lights on that cheap tree, it was so magical I didn't feel guilty.
I wish he was still here to decorate the tree with me this year but sadly he died four years ago so my daughter and I do Christmas together. She has never known anything else being born after we left and I have to say when I see my happy, healthy, well-balanced child I think, I done good.
I love it all!!!! Christmas for me is my favorite. I love the tree and all the decorations put up by me and my wife. I remember when I was on my way out I asked a brother about his pagan wedding ring. He said oh no it is OK caus we don't think of them as being pagan. And the follow up question of course was................
I think I felt like a man who was cheating on his wife for the first time. Excited, and thinking "I am such a cheating piece of shit."
I really have no desire to get involved in Christmas as a born in and I never celebrated it and never missed it. I guess for me Halloween is for kids and if they come I give out candy but don't get much more involved in that. I do enjoy my birthday since that is my own holiday.
First Christmas Tree last year in my old apartment but now moved to a much more better/bigger apartment and have updated pictures this year:)
Wisdom,
Chirstmas itself is kind of lame, but I really have enjoyed the parties. It is a great way to catch up with people who you dont get to see as often.
