New Years Eve/ Day

December 31st is an international day of celebration. It’s when the world, no matter the time zone, gathers to bid farewell to one year and welcome in another. A day of reflection of things done well, dreams realized, babies born, people leaving this earth, disappointments, mistakes, broken dreams, disasters – natural or otherwise, tragedies, highs and lows, financial windfalls, marriages, lost jobs, new jobs, weight gain/loss, new homes, broken homes, etc. This day is celebrated with friends, family, strangers, at home, at clubs, outdoors, expensively or on a budget, but make no mistake, even those who are even stuck working, the whole world pauses for the last countdown of the year. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, you get it – you’ve heard it, you’ve most likely done it a few times, too. However, despite the anticipation of saying “goodbye” to the old and “hello” to the new, this day can be as depressing as any major holiday if you’re not with anyone, if the year has been difficult, if dreams have become nightmares or if you’ve lost someone unexpectedly – or even expectedly. A new year is almost like a new baby; it brings ‘hope’. Hope of another chance, new experiences, wisdom (that you bring from the former year) better options, a fresh start and new opportunities. Basically, it comes with the promise of a better life. That’s quite a heavy burden for January 1 to carry. I think I’d rather be December 31st. Which would you choose and why? What have your experiences been? Have the years been good to you or are you, like many others, always hoping that “next year” will be better? Let me know by posting your comments below. Happy New Year!

Boxing Day

I don’t know the original meaning of Boxing Day or why December 26th is called that but I am starting to notice that society’s holy day is this day after Christmas. It appears this way because of its super sales and deals on everything that you were probably ripped off on December 24th. It all seems so greedy. Imagine spending the day before opening presents after someone spent days or weeks looking for only to suggest that it wasn’t enough by racing to the mall to buy more the very next day. When will people learn that “sale does not mean buy?” In other words, we’ve been convinced, somehow, that we “need” these items. What people are forgetting is that advertisers and retailers don’t care about you or your needs. What they care about is getting your Christmas money. That is probably the only reason retailers go out of their way to acknowledge the holidays. It’s not that they care about the birth of God’s son (in the case of Christmas) or His resurrection (in the case of Easter), but that these holidays mean big business for most companies. Boxing Day has no real modern significance. What should be a day to relax and enjoy what you just got the day before, has become a day to become more obsessed with “things” and the mindless activity that is shopping. I’ve probably ruffled a couple of feathers by suggesting that Boxing Day has no other significance other than to ‘shop ‘till you drop’ and ‘spend like there’s no end’ but I’m open to hearing your views if you can convince me that this day hasn’t become about paying homage to the mall gods. Please post your comments below.

Christmas

December 25th is one of the most important days to Christians all over the world as it is the day we believe Jesus, the son of God, was born on earth. For me, Christmas is important as I am Christian and it’s the one time of year where I get to see most of my family -- the ones you don’t really see throughout the year and have a good time, laughing and taking pictures. But best of all is opening each others’ presents. For someone with a loving family Christmas is great but there are many people out there that find this time of year emotionally difficult because they realize how important a family is. If you don’t have anyone to call you or wish you a Merry Christmas you can become quite sad and feel rejected. It’s funny that Christmas can either be a wonderful experience or a depressing one. As I witnessed from two individuals who do not have a loving family, they couldn’t wait for Christmas to end because while everyone else was receiving gifts, taking pictures, going out to eat for dinner, they stayed home all alone and were lucky to receive a Merry Christmas phone call from their own mother. My Christmas experiences have been mostly positive thanks to God. Something else I am starting to notice is that this day is becoming more about the day off (work, school) and the gifts than the true meaning or significance of what this day should represent. As I shop, people do not say Merry Christmas but choose to say “Happy Holidays” instead. I also tend to see less people at the Christmas Eve service at church as the years go by and religion loses its place in a consumer-oriented society. Even at my Catholic school many of the people there don’t even recognize the true meaning or spirit of this holy occasion but think mostly of getting gifts and are far more excited about the Boxing Day sales after Christmas. I think that’s pretty sad. If you do (or, sadly, don’t) let me know what you’re thoughts are. Please post your comments respectfully below.