Firstly, I won't accept the Christmas season before December 1. I know that shops and supermarkets have to start early because their competitors start early, and I know the municipality has to start early as there are so many trees and decorations to put up around Larnaca… but I really don't like Christmas in September, October or November. The tree does not go up in our house before December 1, and I turn off Christmas music when it comes on the radio. This is no bah humbug attitude, but one month of the same songs and garish decorations is more than enough and I don't want to be sick of Christmas by mid-December, I want to enjoy it for a reasonably set length of time!
On the one hand, I like the spirit of the festive season; the fact that it is Jesus' birthday and that it brings out the empathetic and charitable side of people. I love getting together with family and friends and buying them gifts. I cherish seeing the awe and joy the whole Christmas package brings my young children from Santa and gifts to decorations and music - I even like Christmas crackers and wearing silly hats.
But I can't stand the greed, materialism and hypocrisy. I get sad when I see the panic people feel when they know they can't afford to celebrate properly or buy their children nice presents. I hate the way shops are so blatantly cashing in, thinking only of how their tills are filling up. I don't understand atheists and agnostics fully relishing Christmas simply to have a good time. I don't like the pressures, the overindulgence, the pretence of getting on with people or being more lenient or sympathetic just because of the time of year, and I especially hate hearing the response to bad news '…and it's Christmas', as if whatever awful thing has happened is so much worse just because it takes place in December. And why do a large number of children's Christmas films feature a deceased parent – it's horrible!
Its sad that so few remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, and that many children think it is simply a holiday about Santa coming to bring them gifts, which is not their fault as that is what they are taught. But at least in Cyprus we have not reached the point where it is taboo to mention Mary, Joseph, Jesus and a manger.
But before you brand me Scrooge, I do think this Christmas will be more sincere. It seems to always come back to this darn crisis, but the truth is, once again the crisis is bringing out the good in people. And this time round it really will be the season of goodwill, from the municipality promising that every citizen of Larnaca will enjoy this magical time, to so many generously donating presents for poor children.
All we need now is snow!
