So, it's that time of year again. We celebrate the birth of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, by spending a fortune that we can't afford on presents, food and drink. Then people eat too much, drink too much, fight, argue, top themselves, or act in a way that is socially abhorrent. It's like the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah; making you wonder how many people still know what Christmas is about.
I can't claim to be any better myself. Although I don't really celebrate Christmas anymore - so I don't indulge in the usual festivities - I used to be a Christmas maniac. I used to eat, drink and be a lot more than merry. There was one year when I was nicely drunk from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day. I'm only mildly ashamed to say it was one of the best Christmases I've ever had.
It's only since I stopped celebrating Christmas that I started getting grumpy about the whole thing. It's not schadenfreude; it's just that the tinsel-covered lenses have fallen away and allowed the light of pure cynicism to shine through.
I used to be like a kid. Every year, I would visit the Christmas shop in Stratford-upon-Avon to add more to my huge collection of Christmas decorations and ornaments. On 1st December, I would put on my It's Christmas Time CD and spend the day decking the halls and fa la la-ing my la's. Then, by the light of my Christmas candles and fairy lights I would settle down with my family and watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It was magical. It might not be everyone's idea of a wonderful Christmas-time but it did the job for me and mine.
Now, since my life came crumbling down around my ears, Christmas is not so much something I celebrate, as something I endure and get through as best I can. And - and I never thought I'd ever say this - there's a little part of me that's happier for it.
I still spend money on presents for my oldest children and my grandchildren because that's something I still enjoy. I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing the look on their faces when they get their presents. I think anybody who doesn't get a thrill at that isn't human. As for the rest of it - you can keep it. I'll sit here and enjoy my curmudgeonly misery. It's a lot less stressful.
So, merry Christmas; and bah humbug.
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