I miss Christmas

I heard a story in Church the other day, about a mother who was so caught up in the present frenzy that told her child, who was looking at a nativity scence, that we don't have time for that. Personally, that made me want to cry.

Christmas isn't the same anymore. Maybe it's because I'm older and I have the ability to comprehend the holiday in a different way. Maybe it's because I'm smart enough to know that Santa doesn't visit me anymore. Ever since I've started high school, Christmas has lost that magical feeling. I finish school a lot earlier than I used to and never even get the chance to wear my Christmas tree earrings. This year my parents put the tree up with out me, because it's no big deal. I have to go out and buy presents in crowded shopping malls, whilst being influenced by every store to buy useless products which I would never buy for myself, so why would I buy it for other people? Christmas is filled with stress, business and tiredness not the feelings of joy I would experience when I was younger. Back then, a small little toy would made my day but now, society just wants more and more and more. I see 10 year old who have mobile phones and mp3s. I see little girls not wanting to wear clothes that their mum's pick out because 'they aren't fashionable'. Back then, I couldn't care less what people thought about me. I wore my shirt tucked into my pants up until year 5! I couldn't give a rat's arse and now seeing these kids act like that at such a young age makes me feel sick. They should be enjoying the trivial things, have fun and count down to Christmas by using an advent calendar. Society is growing up much too fast, kids should be kids. I feel like I'm growing up too fast, I know people who dated in year seven, at my primary school we still believed in cooties and I'm happy as I don't believe children that age are ready to experience opposite gender mingling on such a level. This has gone on a massive tangent, but the point is, society moves too fast and takes Christmas for granted. In all due respect, the day is to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Being Polish, religion plays an immense part in my life. When I was younger, my favourite part of the year and not just Christmas was going to midnight mass. There was something about the atmosphere, with your friends being there and seeing everyone half asleep but yet so happy was incredible. And why were they all so happy, because they knew the true meaning of Christmas. Not the stress and presents, that was already over as the most major part of Christmas for Poles is Christmas Eve. There is a massive 12 course meal, Christmas carols are sung and presents are opened. Everyone is happy, except for the person doing the washing up but nevertheless, mum who had been preparing the meal can now relax, dad's been fed so he can relax too and the kids are over the moon from opening presents, leaving the rest of the night for the most important part, a mass to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. I like the order of things and the way I celebrate Christmas, I just hate the lead up to it and the loss of the Christmas spirit.