So...here we are in the middle of the frenetic only-two-weeks-till-Christmas shopping season.
I've been dragging my feet on doing my own shopping; it seems, in many ways, like such a waste of time and money.
But then I happened to read something today that gave me a lovely perspective on this whole holiday gift buying thing. It has nothing to do with commercial/retail "give 'til yer in the poorhouse' mentality; it has nothing to do with guilt; it has nothing to do with a giant baby shower for Jesus. It's far simpler - and yet far more complex. In my mind, it's even more Loving.
If you've read some of my past blog entries, you're already aware that I'm Pagan. I follow the cycle or "Wheel" of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the "dark" time of the year. Daylight is shortened, weather is hard. You can't garden, or forage for food easily. You have to find shelter from the elements. In times past, people dreaded the dark of the year because it meant little food if you'd not prepared well; it was a time when many people got sick and many others died. Babies born in winter had a higher mortality rate because often their mothers didn't have enough milk for them; the elderly often had no one to help them prepare for winter survival, or could not recover from illness or broken bones. Life was harsh in winter, and it was a dreaded season.
What does this have to do with Christmas and gifts? It's simple.
In those times past, people brought "gifts" to others in the winter season - food, clothing, and other life necessities to the people who they LOVED....the people who they wanted to see survive the winter. It's a process that has been going on long before religion or commercialism ever even thought of it. It was a way to show others that they cared about them, and wanted to see that they made it through till the days got longer and the warmth returned. It was love and caring of the deepest kind.
The shopping we do honors all that. It's a way to remember those who we love - those who we want to see make it though the Dark times of winter. And those who we "gift" should understand that it really IS the thought that counts...it's not about what's expensive or the latest popular thing, but that someone loves us enough to want us to survive.
5 comments:
Then let me be the first, to help you survive the dark!
That is a really good way of looking at things Kate. I'd never stopped to think of the very beginnings of gifting.
You always give me much to ponder upon.
:)
Tracy...you just confused me! Gah! your mind games hurt my head!
Yes!!! That's our Kate! :) Now that's THE spirit of gift giving, from the heart, and that means caring about the recipient.
You go, girl. ;)
Jenny - Thank you!
Tracey - *grin* It's always nice to share the "tortures" of my soul. Welcome to the grey matter!
Jude - I've never disbelieved in the concept of gift giving from the heart, but crass commercialism has made it so difficult for people to realize that we *don't* have to just mindlessly give.
Post a Comment