Is it okay to have Obsessive Christmas Disorder?
The symptoms
There are some telltale signs that you should look out for when it comes to Obsessive Christmas Disorder, including:
* Starting a present list in August
* Starting to feel 'Christmassy' some time in early September
* Not caring when the nights comes earlier and earlier because Christmas is coming
* Looking forward to Bath and Body Works Christmas candles, soaps, lotions and room sprays hitting the shelves
* Looking forward to seeing, and eating, noodles, shrimp, ham and all the chocolate covered goodness you want.
* Visiting every garden centre within a 20 miles radius to see all the Christmas decorations they have to offer
* Wishing Thanksgiving night would hurry up and be over so you can 'get on with Christmas'
Apparently, if you suffer from any one or more of these symptoms, you are at risk of suffering from the condition and should get yourself up into the attic immediately to get the decorations down.
Christmas decorating
The hardest part for me has always been convincing people that it's okay to start decorating the house as soon as the last trick or treater has rang the doorbell. Most 'normal' people dread the very thought of clambering up into the attic to get musty old tinsel and red tubs down and the thought of unravelling strings of fairy lights - well, say no more! Me? I love every bit of it.
The smell of dusty Christmas decorations should be bottled up in my opinion. So evocative is that smell that I'm instantly transported back to a 1995 Christmas, watching my mom toil with the tinsel and lights while Point Of Grace sings happily in the background from the Giant CD player in the hosier cabinet .
Can it be too much?
This is where I'm torn- In today's world we get so caught up in the commercialization of Christmas. Most think it's about all about the presents and getting your kids what's on their list so that when they head back to school they compare well to others and feel filled up because everyone else got the gadgets, clothes or shoes so they deserved them too.
While the presents are nice there is so much more to this holiday. There is NO DOUBT that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If it wasn't for Him we wouldn't have been saved from ourselves. I'd say that's something to celebrate.
The other day I heard a Christian say- I don't like Christmas- we don't decorate or celebrate other than church Christmas Eve because it's not even about Christ anymore.... hmm that got me thinking. Am I wrong in loving the spirit of Christmas and everything that Christmas brings?
Has Christmas become too commercialized? Yes, in the sense that in either the stampede to buy the latest electronic gadgets, or the desperation of last-minute shopping, we can lose the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is also a time for gathering with family and friends. Of spending quality time together — whether decorating the tree, baking cookies or huddling together in the living room to watch one of the most beloved films in our home and many throughout the country, "It's a Wonderful Life."
Christmas is the one time of the year that families try to come together. This is the time of year that family members will see each other, and not have seen each other for a long time. It's nice that everyone comes together to spend time together, and catch up.
Christmas is a once-a-year celebration like no other. It comes with more bells and whistles (pun intended) than any other holiday, and brings an enormous amount of joy to adults and children alike.
In my opinion Christmas is the best holiday ever. Some may say Easter and I love and am so grateful for the cross and that my savior is not in the ground but alive but there is something about Jesus, king & son of God becoming a tiny baby and humbling himself to a stinky manger bed to save me. What a strange but incredible way to save the world. God started the giving of Christmas by giving us his son- our Savior. That is the most important thing to remember- the Christmas season isn't about the getting- it's about giving.
As I was saying earlier the presents are nice, but one of my favorite parts is the giving back. There is something about the holiday season that just seems to put people in better moods, and they give back more. In Giving back you see the joy and happiness on people's faces and in turn it warms your heart and gives you that magical Christmas feeling.
And the lights and the smells--This time of year one of the most fun things to do is drive around and see all of the lights. People spend so much time on the decorations and lighting. When you look at all of it there is something magical about it. The lights are so amazing and beautiful.
People may think this is odd but Christmas has a specific smell. It's like a combination of gingerbread, pine needles, and cinnamon. When You smell that Christmas smell it makes you all warm and cozy.
But No celebrating Christmas? What?!?
On Christmas morning, as family and friends gather around the tree, opening presents and enjoying hot chocolate, most of us will admit to feeling warm and fuzzy. We are relishing the spirit of the holiday.
In fact, many people suffer withdrawal after Christmas festivities have ended. I am not talking food coma here — although that is another holiday byproduct. Having experienced much enjoyment in the weeks leading up to the "big day," there are those who honestly admit feeling sorry the Christmas season is over.
However, in the end- No one is forced to put up a tree, sing Christmas songs or buy presents. If you want to spend the holiday season giving in other ways, volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, start a coat drive in your neighborhood, or drop in at your local nonprofit organization and donate some personal time to those in need.
For those who argue the commercialization of Christmas takes away from its true significance, I would ask: What is the alternative? Not celebrating it at all? That's not an option for us because I'm beyond thankful that my savior came. So today I'll have my Christmas carols on repeat, belt out Joy to The World, Oh Holy Night and the chipmunks Christmas song and I'll remember that as a momma I need to teach her to love the Christ in Christmas and all the rest will follow.