Yes, that is cynicism you are detecting as I am very much anti-Christmas. You could even call me The Grinch if you like.
I have 5 main reasons as to why I am against this time of the year.(ok, let me be honest there are many reasons adding up to a lot more than 5, but for your reading sake I have kept it to 5 - You're welcome) I should probably clarify that I am in no way Anti-Christ, I am just against everything this stupid season has now become about!
1) The chaos!
Chaos everywhere! The roads are chaotic, the shops are chaotic, even our homes are chaotic! Retailers have crazy specials on like 2 items and then all of the nation swarm to the shops to purchase them thinking they are saving millions. This time of the year families decide to paint their houses, buy new furniture, new bedding etc and all for what? And might I just add that all of this stuff is purchased on credit, so for the rest of the year you are paying off credit cards and retailers all for one day in the year when you can impress your family and friends? This doesn't make sense to me.
2) Road accidents are on the increase.
Throughout the year our road accidents seem to be pretty stable, then it comes to December and the numbers increase at an alarming rate. Its almost like when it rains in Cape Town and then people forget how to drive. Drinking and driving is a stupid idea on any other day of the year, why do you all go get shit-faced in December and increase the mortality rate on the roads. You fools then make it harder for us law-abiding citizens because the accident rate is so high that we would prefer not to take the chance of getting killed, so we just stay at home. And lets not even talk about the road blocks! We sit in these damn roadblocks for hours because they are trying to catch YOU out!
3) The season for giving.
Since when do we as humans need one season to give? How is humanity meant to prevail if we decide that December is the time we will be generous! How about we give to the needy throughout the year? How about we make the whole year a season of giving? Now look, I am in no way saying we should give hugely to the needy throughout the year, but give within your means just don't wait for December.
4) Jesus wasn't really born on 25 December.
You're aware that Christmas is a pagan holiday right? And you are aware that evidence in the bible shows that He wasn't really born on the 25th of December? I've known this for a while now, and surprise surprise I found this out in a church. I get annoyed with people who follow this holiday blindly and put up Christmas trees, not knowing the full story behind them. I won't kill the buzz for the kids who enjoy Christmas and want to decorate the tree, but at some point I will let them in on the truth. We follow traditions blindly set out by our forefathers not questioning them for a second. I would much rather start my own meaningful traditions with my family than to just follow like a sheep what our predecessors have done.
(I found a website that shows evidence that Christ wasn't actually born in December. Read about it here.)
5) My father was in a car accident on December 25th.
I think this may be the main reason behind my annoyance of this season. For those of you that don't know, my father was in an accident on Christmas evening and died two days later in hospital. The driver was drunk and this ultimately led to his passing. Christmas with my grandfather was such a sad affair as he always spoke about my father's passing. I don't think he ever really got over his son dying before he did. He always told me that a big part of him died when my father did. So yeah, Christmas time makes me miss my dad, and even though all of my above points are very valid I think this is the over-powering factor for my "grinchyness" over this period.
To end off I just need to point out that I was never like this my whole life. This only came about in my later years. I used to love Christmas, I loved the hustle and bustle of this season. I loved the gift giving, but that feeling sort of disintegrated over the years. My mom always made Christmas super special for me so it is sort of sad that I have become this cynical over the years. I must admit though that the part I miss the most about Christmas is spending it with my father's family in Durban. If I could spend Christmas with them every year I believe I may just find that Christmas spirit again.
Also, the person who hates Christmas the most (me) is now dating a guy who's birthday just so happens to be on Christmas! There really is no getting out of the festive spirit for me.
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