Who here still finds it hard to celebrate Christmas? (page 2)

MungoBaobab

I got a couple of reciprocation gifts for my friends this year, but I really have no desire at all to celebrate.

The thought strikes me that alot of us are like atheist Jews. Some Jews lose their faith, but do they run out to celebrate Christmas? Of course not. But they keep the tradition just because that's how they were raised. We've lost our JW faith, but not celebrating Christmas or any other holiday is a perfectly valid cultural expression. There are benefits to not celebrating. It's up to everyone to weigh them out, Christmas is fun, Christmas is stressful, etc. Everyone likes getting gifts, but the WTS raises some valid criticisms about the commercialism, etc. And I'm sorry, but you Christians who insist Jesus wouldn't care... What if the only way your husband would marry you was if he could celebrate your birthday on his ex-wife's birthday the way she liked to celebrate; taking you out to dinner at her favorite place, decorations she used to like, etc. That's what Christmas is to Christianity. The only way the Europeans would accept their new bride Christianity was if they could celebrate their old gods' birthdays, etc. But yes, it's fun getting presents and hanging out with family.

M-J

It's an interesting question.

I have been DF'd since 18, and still find it hard to properly celebrate Christmas. Luckily for me my wife and kids are great with the decorations.

The fact that my youngest son looks forward to Santa's visit is a nice feeling. Something that although I never experienced a witness child, I can share.

Let it snow

carefully faded

Hi dh,

This will be my fourth christmas - and it gets easier each year. The first was extremely weird for me (raised as a JW for over 30 years). My "worldly" friends have become like family to me and we celebrate christmas together each year - they even hang a stocking in their house for me! Since we open our presents one at a time, I found it really awkward having all that attention on me while I was opening mine. And I was really nervous as others opened the presents I gave them . . .were they appropriate, would they like them, etc. I feel the same way on birthdays.

But trust me, with time, it gets much easier - and I really look forward to it now. Hang in there.

- CF

ConcernedMom

I have never been a JW and my whole family does Christmas in a big way, but mostly because almost everything we do to celebrate is part of longstanding family tradition.
We always have Christmas Eve with my sister's family followed by midnight mass, the kids get to open one present before bed (usually new pajamas so they will look good in the Christmas morning pictures), my mom comes for brunch Christmas morning, we go to my sister-in-law's on boxing day and so forth. The decorations have all been around for ages, many of them made by the kids (some were from when I was a kid and some even belonged to my husband's grandma). So while a lot of how we mark the holiday doesn't have much to do with religion, it does have a history for us.
I can imagine that if you didn't have that history, it would be harder to get into the spirit of the celebrations...but there's a first time for everything and as you find the things that fit you and your family, you can build new traditions.

Aude_Sapere

My parents didn't start studying until I was 9. The we quit holidays altogether.

I've been essentially 'out of the truth' since 1991 (or 1987 - depends on which stage of cognition we count) and still struggle with this holiday stuff.

When December comes around, I feel more lonely, depressed and out-of-sorts than the previous year.

I want to celebrate. And I feel guilty. and that makes me feel more disconnected.

I participate in some holiday activities at work and send 'non-religious' cards to my customers. Couple of shy gifts to selected workmates but not a clue on how to begin celebrations on my own. Any suggestions?

This board has been a god-send (ha!!) for the past few weeks. Can't tell you how wonderful it is to hear everyone's story. Finally I've found some people that I feel can understand and appreciate me and my feelings.

codeblue

DH: Great topic!

Me and NOdenial are not celebrating xmas....we don't feel comfortable with it.

I vaguely remember celebrating one xmas (well all the holidays)...as a very young girl (before my Mom became a baptized JW), but didn't enjoy any of them, except for thanksgiving...

NOdenial has never celebrated any holiday nor his birthday...and has no wonder about it or desire.

So, I kinda of understand where you are coming from...I am not sure with me, the aspects of some of the holidays...they just don't seem logical.

Families coming together because they love one another and wish to spend time to enhance their relationships is "wonderful"....I admire that most about people that celebrate holidays, but wonder why they only mostly chose holidays to do that (but, that is better than NOT getting together as a family).

Being a mother, I have always wanted to celebrate their birth.......it was a most happy day for me and always will be remembered...I am glad they are here.

CodeBlue

sandy

mungobaobab, I agree with you completely and yet I still celebrate. I love Christmas music and giving gifts.

I haven't done the Christmas tree or decorations yet. I almost did this year but I chickened out. Actually, I could take Christmas or leave it. It is not that big of a deal to my b/f either but we are exchanging gifts.

frenchbabyface

Is Christmas a big thing to you? no ... no family around anyway ...

Do you celebrate it? no ... no family around anyway ...

Don't really know how to celebrate anything?Somehow

It's just weird "any" way ...
I don't think I'm gonna do anything at Christmas (most people are with there familly)
Even for NY eve I'll probably invite some people home if I don't feel to go out that night but I'm most for Sitting Kidding Smoking party, than any big stuff that doesn't match with me ... I'm kind of anti-social anyway but when I ready to meet/to share ...

PinTail

I feel like the end will come with my wonderful lights sparkling on my shrubs and Santa's face on my door. It makes me feel so much better though to know in advace the presents I will get, thanks Santa.

Ho Ho Ho

Shane

Been there

I found this on another site, thought it may fit in this post. Hope it works.

Who here still finds it hard to celebrate Christmas?

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