A lot of friends have been talking about how much they hate Christmas creeping into (or completely taking over) November. So I started thinking about the issue - because apparently it's a big one and obviously something I should be thinking about, right?
I think Thanksgiving suffers from severe middle-child syndrome. Halloween comes first and is a little bit crazy but well recognized, highly celebrated and ridiculously loved. Then there's Christmas, the ever impatient youngest child who can't wait their turn...ever. Plus Christmas is the 'favorite' child - it's loved, celebrated, commercialized, overpriced and way over represented.
And Thanksgiving just sits back and gets run over by these two crazy holidays on either side of it. It never complains when people forget it or when international businesses schedule important meetings that day (ugh...speaking from experience on that). Thanksgiving doesn't mind giving the lime light to the other two. Why? Because it's THANKSGIVING - it's humble and grateful for what it has and for the little recognition receives from Thanksgiving die-hards. By very definition it won't fight to be on top - it goes against it's nature.
But, truly, Thanksgiving and Christmas have a lot in common. Turkey, pie, mashed potatoes, post turkey naps, days off of work, extra pounds to eat and gain, great family and friends to celebrate with, pie - did I mention pie? No, seriously though, isn't the purpose between the two holidays essentially the same? To remember? One holiday celebrates remembering the blessings we receive and the people who enrich our lives. The other is an opportunity to remember the birth of The Son of God - the source of all those blessings. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you take commercialism, presents, neighborhood treats, Black Friday, crazy holiday lights, decorations and fuss out of the picture - Thanksgiving and Christmas should really be friends and play nicely in the sandbox. And Thanksgiving should come first and get due recognition for it's highly important place in the end-of-year holiday line-up - first remember the blessings, then remember the Source.
I think Thanksgiving suffers from severe middle-child syndrome. Halloween comes first and is a little bit crazy but well recognized, highly celebrated and ridiculously loved. Then there's Christmas, the ever impatient youngest child who can't wait their turn...ever. Plus Christmas is the 'favorite' child - it's loved, celebrated, commercialized, overpriced and way over represented.
And Thanksgiving just sits back and gets run over by these two crazy holidays on either side of it. It never complains when people forget it or when international businesses schedule important meetings that day (ugh...speaking from experience on that). Thanksgiving doesn't mind giving the lime light to the other two. Why? Because it's THANKSGIVING - it's humble and grateful for what it has and for the little recognition receives from Thanksgiving die-hards. By very definition it won't fight to be on top - it goes against it's nature.
But, truly, Thanksgiving and Christmas have a lot in common. Turkey, pie, mashed potatoes, post turkey naps, days off of work, extra pounds to eat and gain, great family and friends to celebrate with, pie - did I mention pie? No, seriously though, isn't the purpose between the two holidays essentially the same? To remember? One holiday celebrates remembering the blessings we receive and the people who enrich our lives. The other is an opportunity to remember the birth of The Son of God - the source of all those blessings. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you take commercialism, presents, neighborhood treats, Black Friday, crazy holiday lights, decorations and fuss out of the picture - Thanksgiving and Christmas should really be friends and play nicely in the sandbox. And Thanksgiving should come first and get due recognition for it's highly important place in the end-of-year holiday line-up - first remember the blessings, then remember the Source.
Comments
Here, here!