What would happen if it was December, approaching Christmas, and there was no Christmas hype? No big flashy advertisements, no Christmas songs on the radio, no bright holiday decorations in the stores or aisles of holiday paraphernalia, no Salvation Army bell ringers, no hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, no Santa Clauses, no lights or decorations on houses or buildings, no Christmas trees a'glow, no snow, no frost, not even a nip in the air, no holiday office party or even frosted snowman cookies on the reception counter at work, no holiday performances or programs, no special traditions or even plans to get together with family? If it was Christmas time and there were little kids running around outside laughing and playing barefoot or naked, if there were roaming goats and cows eating the tall green grass around your house while you weeded your garden, if there were people on the beach bathing in the warm water, would it be Christmas? If you take away all that makes it
feel like Christmas, is it still Christmas? Yes and no, I think. Without the same "culture" of Christmas, the experience of the holiday is not the same. It's true that there is more to "Christmas" than celebrating Jesus' birth, and it's not all bad. Although, no matter the context, we are all united with creation in celebrating the birth of Jesus. For much of the world, the things I have associated with Christmas aren't relevant. It's not winter, there aren't Christmas trees, there isn't as much commercialism. For me, it somehow is good that it doesn't feel like Christmas. I don't miss home quite as much as if it felt like Christmas. But I still miss it.
The thing that matters most, though, is still relevant, at least among Christian communities, and it could be easily argued, even among non-Christian communities.
Oh, and the grasshoppers are in season here. Some people just pull the wings and legs off and pop them in their mouths, but I prefer them fried and salted. They make a nice snack once you get past the fact that you're eating bugs.
