Your First Christmas Tree, Christmas Lights, Other Christmas Decoration/Custom

by NotFormer 10 Replies latest jw friends

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  NotFormer

  As someone who never grew up in the shadow of the WT, I love reading accounts of people who began to wake up and think that the WT wasn't all that it represents itself to be*. And especially when they see that the things that they were told to avoid were harmless at worst, and quite often fun. Christmas is a prime example. And often a brilliant way to go beyond PIMO, or just quietly faded, if one chooses to go there.

  https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5107191200088064/ive-done-christmas-lights-outside

  So, when you decided to embrace the whole Christmas thing, how did you do it? Put up a tree 🌲? Festive lights? Put on a Christmas dinner 🍗?

  And, most importantly, how did it feel? Were you nervous? Excited? Just plain relieved? And what was it like interacting with the rest of society and not being the odd-bod anymore?

  *Not just the WT, but that's going to be the obvious example on here. It's interesting to read about people who leave Mormonism, Scientology and high control Pentecostalism as well, for example. Heck, even ex-Amway people have similar stories!
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  Biahi

  I bought a small tree for my little apartment my first year. When we bought a house, we got a bigger tree. I also married a Catholic, his family embraced me. My daughter has the fun memories I never got. 🎄🎄🎄 Merry Christmas, everyone!
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  Beth Sarim

  Biahi;

  That is awesome.
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  Riley

  My first Christmas outside of the borg, I drank goat blood, worshipped a statue of Moloch , did Heroin and covered myself with human feces while playing Venom and King Diamond at full blast waking up the entire the neighborhood.

  Oh wait.

  That is what they told I would be doing.

  I think I just watched a Christmas Carol and Die Hard and drank some Baileys and Cream.

  Yipee ki yay MF.
• 

  Riley

  Every time I watch a Christmas Carol, I always think of the Governing Body being visited by three ghosts.

  " Turn back, there is still time, You can change Ebenezer , you can now grow a beard ".

  LoL

  Assholes.
  
• 

  Dagney

  I remember so many times standing on my soapbox trying to reason with a coworker or non JW BF about the commercial aspect of the gift giving and season. They would patiently look a me and nod their heads, and say but "it's about family and friends getting together!." I didn't get it. Although, I loved the lights and sparkle and even being out and about in the holiday rush.

  Fast forward a few decades and I am now out of JW. Fortunately I had relatives who were not JW's so we would have a "winter gift exchange" after the holidays that was every bit as festive as the holidays. I remember I was out at a shopping center with my list, and I started to cry. I finally got it. Yes it is commercial, but it is also about thinking of others...taking the time...what would they like/use/need. I finally finally got it.

  I am holiday "lite" only because I live alone and don't have tons of time to put up/take down/store. I have collected things through the past 20 years or so that I enjoy putting up, and I just bought a 5 ft skinny pop up tree with lights for my little tiny desert place.

  I always tell my coworkers "don't get me anything let's just go to dinner." But they like giving just like I really like giving. Yep, I finally get it.
• 

  Phizzy

  Our Christmas Meal, when we were J.W's, had always been the traditional one, Turkey another meat or two, all the veg and lovely roasted potatoes, accompanied by a lot of Booze !

  All the family got together, in-laws, some came from overseas, and it was a real Family Meal.

  But after we left in a short time we began putting up Christmas lights, and giving presents. It was a few years before we actually put up a tree, I was careful in those early days, my close J.W relatives , those who lived nearby, often popped in, in those days. I was not careful over other things, as soon as I left I began to Vote, and to donate Blood, and other non-J.W approved things.

  One day my darling little grandson walked in to our house a week or two before Christmas, and said "Why haven't you got a Christmas Tree ? " , his mum loved Christmas and Birthdays, still does, she was never a J.W. And I thought to myself " Yes ! why not ?", so I went out and bought one, and all the stuff to decorate it.

  By that time I had got to the stage of not giving a damn if the Elders Disfellowshipped me. And I began to feel "Yes, I am now REALLY free of the Org. they no longer have any power over me ! ".

  Any of the possible actions by the Elders didn't happen, which is great, as I am free to have normal contact with J.W. family.

  The non-JW family always came to our House, as we had lots of room for everybody, so when my grandson arrived, there was the Tree, resplendent with lights and everything, he looked at the tree, and back at me, and gave a nod of approval, which amused me, it was so adult !

  In the following years I bought ever bigger Trees, one was too big at over seven feet tall, and had to be trimmed, but it did look wonderful !

  A Happy and Merry Christmas to all !
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  Bribie

  So the silly season is underway once more.

  I am so glad I don’t need to get caught up in this nonsense!

  I suppose Christmas gives people a lift in spirits and a sense of excitement.

  And that is their choice but as for me I am very content to just let the whole occasion just fade away. It seems so cosmetic and empty to me when the sentiment of the celebration is for peace, harmony and joy - yet the world continues on its insane, chaotic and war plagued course.
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  Phizzy

  Ba Humbug ! a Bribie ?
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  NotFormer

  That's a wild take on this, Bribie: even though many on here have demonstrated how happy a few simple Christmas observations can make people after exiting their former oppressive situations, your gripe is that those things have not solved global conflict?? 😳

  Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Were the angelic host lying when they declared peace on Earth at the birth of Jesus? Yet global conflict has continued since then until now. It is better to light a single candle 🕯️ than to curse the darkness. The examples given by posters above are of people showing small acts of kindness between friends, family and co-workers. IMO, those little gestures actually do make the world a tiny bit more livable.

  Thanks for posting your Christmas observations, folks! 😘 Keep 'em coming! 🌲🍗🕯️✨🙏