So This Is Christmas???

It seems to me this year that what I am witnessing and perhaps even celebrating is not Christmas but the American "Happy Holidays".

Ten things that have nothing to do with the Birth of Christ:

1. Turkey

2. 50% off (or 3 for 2 (depending where you are)or the phrase "last chance for free Christmas delivery)

3. Decorated Pine trees in the house, poinsettias, red orchids and other fancy floral displays

4. Shopping frenzy

5. Christmas Eve & Boxing Day sales

6. Santa clause

7. Sackloads of gifts that you and your family Must Have.

8. Mulled wine & mince pies/cake

9. Gingerbread latte

10. Cards

All of the above in excess......I could go on! And I have succumbed to all of the ten deadly sins above, but now, I am beginning to wonder..... The past week for me has been overshadowed by a black cloud with an ozone hole in it that goes by the name of Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. That black cloud has left me pondering the meaning of poinsettias and the point, the meaning of well, life, the future.

The real Christmas story tells us that the three Magi brought a gift each. One Gift Each. Jesus was born in a stable. A Simple Stable, Unadorned. I doubt they had a turkey feast for supper. They would maybe have had an olive tree near by but no non needle dropping Norwegian pines or poinsettias, which I believe are Mexican, and I'm not sure that Orchids and Cyclamen grow in Israel either......

The Shepherds and the Magi were certainly not dashing through the snow or indeed the aisles of their local Sainsbury, they were not sat on a hill side scoffing mince pies, figgy pudding or turkey left overs, washing it down with mulled wine or (25% off ) Champagne.

I'm sure too, they weren't planning a s ski trip or a Christmas get away to the Canaries. (Perhaps they wished they were?) As far as I am aware they were not assisted en route by fairies, elves, reindeer or polar bears, The Kings/wise-men I believe may have had Camels..... Though hey, I could be wrong.

I think perhaps what gets me most is the M&S advert, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without........ food, wine, sleazy innuendoes , clothes, underwear, sexy women, implicit gay "mincing" ..........so far nobody has mentioned Joy, Peace, Love, saving the world (that was Jesus' job description as far as I recall from long gone Sunday School Days) or even duh, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without.... Christ?

If you are new to the RFABP blog, fear not, (said she for mighty dread had seized her troubled mind) I am not even what a Christian would call a "Christian" I'm a pretty average secular "spiritual person" who has room in her mind for doubt/possibility, who believes in the Universe.

So what do I tell my child??

Do I save the Jesus story for Easter?( and tell it all in one go? ) And celebrate Yuletide or, solstice, or "Holidays" in December? Or do we forego the consumer and social pressure to shop till we drop, give masses of gifts, stuff our faces with rich foods and have a humble Christmas at home with 3 gifts and no 3 month build up instead?

How do we strike a balance? I am asking you.