A Little Behind

Over the Christmas holiday read an article in the Tulsa newspaper about various Christian faiths that don't celebrate Christmas and how the holiday has evolved for Americans. According to the article, in the early days of the U.S., Christmas Day was quietly observed. Most places stayed open for business, the U.S. Congress still convened and it was not a huge deal. Puritans banned it because the day was known for alcohol consumption and craziness.

The article indicated that it was Dickens and others in the mid-1800s that introduced the world to stories about family gatherings and other events.

The article also noted that some faiths state that the Bible never mentions or provides guidance/direction to "celebrate" Christmas. The news article said that some faiths consider many of the holiday traditions as pagan and as inventions from the European world. However, the quote I liked best was from one expert that pointed out that nor is there Biblical instruction not to celebrate!

A friend of mine and his family to this day never put up a Christmas tree. Although very religious, their church instructed members that a Christmas tree and other gestures like that were inventions by others who's goal is to take away from the real meaning of Christmas.

I do hate all the commercialism, stressing out, financial debt, family drama and other issues that are often associated with the holiday. But I do have fun checking out the lights, catching up with folks via holiday notes and gestures, finding fun and occasionally "the right" gift, and have a reason where we have to make it a priority to stop to visit with family and friends.

For those so inclined to celebrate it, I hope your holiday was out-of-the-ballpark fantastic! Thank you to you cats and humans that took a moment to provide Gabby and me a greeting. It is much appreciated. Details about our holiday currently are drafts. :)

I apologize that we are behind with our greeting. We had a computer glitch on Sunday and then hit the road to Oklahoma. Just now getting life back to a small amount of normalcy.