There are times when I wonder what the point of Christmas is. I was feeling so jaded with it the other day that I did start believing it must be enhanced by having children around, just so you can absorb some of their famous wonderment and joy. Frazzled parents might beg to differ, but I imagine they wouldn’t give up their offspring for the season (maybe just for one of those evenings that some of them like to call ‘childfree’).
Then I remind myself that it’s really ‘Yule’, and it’s for everyone; it didn’t start off being all about the children. It’s an ancient celebration of light, probably created to alleviate the misery of the winter solstice. December is dark and oppressive for many people: Yule was supposed to bring in some fire and colour; a celebration of the days starting to lengthen again.
So I’m going to say Happy Yuletide, whoever you’re with or not with, and wherever you are; see you on the other side.
Amen to that….I am not a religious person and have always celebrated the season as a time to prepare for the coming year, for renewal, and welcoming – literally – the light coming back after Winter Solstice. Happy Yule to you as well!
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Thank you!
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Sorry I meant to add: same to you! Have a good one
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My love for the winter holidays diminished greatly during infertility because of the rational everyone gave me that the holidays are for children. Suddenly not only did I not belong, but I was informed I had been celebrating wrong for so many years.
But the thing is, those who tell you “it’s for children” also tend to be the dullest, unimaginative people I’ve known. These same people pull this card I believe out of jealousy that they are unable to find the magic in this season.
So on that note, I believe this season, be it Christmas, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or what ever else, is to be celebrate by anyone who chooses to. Wishing you a very Happy Yuletide.
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Thank you!
I’ve been asked three times by (middle-aged) adults in the country where I live: “Does Santy come to your house at Christmas?”. It’s a common opener here to start a conversation about Christmas and it’s basically asking if you have kids. It’s inane and annoying and I’ve yet to find a good riposte to it but I will…..
Seasons greetings to you!
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Maybe you could say “yip Santa stops by for a quick glass of eggnog to catch his breath before he visits everyone else” or similar, subtly making the point that Santa can go to any house he likes whether or not there are kids 😊
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I could turn it into a seasonal porn scenario (the ingredients are definitely there) – that might shut the soppy ‘Santy’ questions up…
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😂😂 the options are endless!
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Interesting, I didn’t know that’s why it was called Yuletide. Hard to switch that fir those of us down under where it’s not winter, but maybe it can still be about celebrating light since we’ve just had our longest day.
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I got the info from The Sunday Times last week! It was originally ‘Jul’ in Norse if I remember right. I like it: I’m definitely adopting ‘Yuletide’. It went out of fashion when they brought religion into the mix
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I love this, SO MUCH! I love your description of the celebration of Yuletide, of light in the dark, of a universal finding of joy no matter your family situation. (Takes some of the sting out of a holiday based on a miracle baby to reframe it this ancient way.) Happy Yuletide to you!
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Thanks Jess I hope you had a good one
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Christmas for me is still about marking the end of a busy year, the beginning of the summer holidays (whether you have children or not), and also this wonderful space between Christmas and New Year when no-one needs to do anything.
I know I’m late – but wishing you the very best New Year and 2018.
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Hi Mali, greetings – I love that space too: no intention of doing anything productive, might just lounge around reading and doing nothing….
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Yes! I absolutely love this! Why not find the aspects of Christmas/Jul that work for you and then live your life accordingly? It IS a celebration of light and hope, after all. And it traditionally started out as a party for adults, not for kids, as I have read somwhere recently ;-).
Wishing you an excellent New Year!
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Same to you! Yes the kids and all their plastic sabotaged a good party!
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