On the Subject of Christmas

Ah, Christmas time is here again. The white and green of Starbucks cups everywhere are now dripping blood red. It seems they have once again fallen prey to the crazy Christmas Slasher who, every year, takes these cups as its first victim in a massive plan to douse every American city red. Soon shopping bags, store fronts, clothes and iPods will all bear the scarlet mark and our own mothers and fathers will start to cover themselves in countless variations of knitted sweaters and fleece scarves—all in, yes you have it—red.

Christmas trees will follow ubiquitous suite as they spring from grounds of dirt, tile, marble and linoleum, rousing from their summertime slumber to light up the lobbies of downtown buildings and ranch style living rooms. Lights and bulbs adorn their branches, swinging from limb to limb as if tracing the trail of a secret Christmas tree monkey. A monkey which probably dwells beneath the branches eating popcorn and candy canes from its new habitat’s generous boughs. He will get an unpleasant surprise come New Years. These trees become so prevalent this time of year that I am sure even the greatest of skeptics begin to believe that trees actually grow that way. Tied up in lights with only the grout of tile with which to draw nourishment.

Along with this background there are other seasonal truisms such as church carolers (I like the ones in the mall, but I never know what to do with the ones that come to my door—I feel like they’re watching me just like I’m watching them and I always feel the need to put on some kind of performance), also, countless Santas speckling the outside corners of malls, ringing their bell for a contribution, pushy insistent shoppers, Christmas TV specials (Charlie Brown ranks number one on my list) and Midnight Mass. Okay, that’s not necessarily a comprehensive list, but you get the idea, right. It’s a circus out there.

Underlying all of this is the Jesus’ birth, of course—a very key point which is sometimes forgotten in all the madness of gift giving and getting. Unless, of course you happen to catch Linus giving account on his cartoon stage, a blanket as his pulpit. I don’t get too wound up anymore on this issue. After all, I don’t really know anything about St. Patrick but I still wear green and drink up when that day rolls around. I suppose if Christ’s birth is important to you, well than you won’t forget will you? And if you aren’t forgetting, then it’s still just as sacred to you—and that’s about all you can control anyway. That and maybe putting a massive nativity scene in your front yard.

So let’s get on with it then. Christmas has its flaws—you only have to look at far as that ‘Christmas in the Northwest’ song to be convinced of that. Despite it all though, I happen to love this time of year. I love the lights, the trees, the music, the fires and hot chai, and yes, even those red Starbucks cups.

It’s just so damn cozy.