Christmas Sucks

Christmas sucks because:
We only give gifts because we have to, not because we necessarily are inspired or can afford to. This is not exactly the way Jesus showed up, "Oh, ok...I'll save ya'll...and you get socks too!"

It happens in the winter, which at least where I live, is cold. This makes, shopping (see above) suck. And all that frolicking in the snow...only in the Gap ads, people, only in the Gap ads...

There is not enough time for all the baking, shopping (again, see above), church attending/choir practicing, working (again, see shopping), and still be sane enough to handle the actual day-to-day living. I don't think that anyone gave Jesus sugar cookies and fruitcake. Certainly we could do with more church attending and choir practicing (although, the lady that actually called and YELLED at me this year when I didn't the kids there on TIME this year, maybe she could do with less practicing...) Just...take a chill pill and a V-8 people. It's kids all dressed up at Christmas...and we think it's kinda cute when they mess up. If you practice them into perfection and the parents into stress, all that happens is that no one wants to come to church!

If you do not possess the "fond memories" of Christmas that the pastor refers to in his sermons all during Advent, it makes you feel not only like you are really screwed up, but also makes you worry about whether your kids are lacking them just like you are...yikes! Double whammy, straight to Hell, do not collect $200.

Singles can feel singled out at the holidays. And the unhappily married...well, I can't say there is "nothing lonelier", but being honestly alone can be easier than faking togetherness. I have had years when I had a great time with friends and well I can't say much other than that, but I know that some people have great husbands, and I have it on good authority that some people make great husbands: if you are one of them out there...hats off to you!

Trees! Dragging a perfectly healthy tree that has been chopped down in its prime so that it can sit around and become a mess and fire hazard...I would blame the pagans, but I'm not sure if that was their idea, or just something I heard on TV. Hard to tell anymore. Anyway, fake trees are really no better. I have one, since I am allergic to pine and resented getting sick from them every year (now I just get regular sick.)

My sons had their first experience putting up the tree this year, and complained when our kitten almost tore it down. I assured them that they could get the tree put back together, since only 5 feet of me had put up over 8 feet of tree in years past, there were two of them...and they were well over 5'7" EACH! When they argued that the cat would just destroy the tree again, I argued that if years of trees had survived twin boys, one tree would survive one kitten. The tree got put back up, and stayed up pretty well, in spite of them and the cat. But back to Christmas suckage...

Christmas...well, I guess it doesn't totally suck. Jesus, well, He's cool, and it is about Him. And my kids are cool (most of the time...which is about as often as I accomplish coolness either), and I am fortunate to have a "dearest"...whose non-husbandness makes him cool too. And so, I suppose Christmas is cool...and we will try to make it to choir practice on time, every time next year (yeah, right)!