Have you ever thought about the irony of skipping Thanksgiving? Not completely skipping it, of course, but jumping straight into the Christmas hype? It seems like as soon as Halloween is over, the nation plunges right into Christmas carols and shopping. Thanksgiving is a holiday about being grateful for what you have, and for appreciating the people you are with. I feel like when we get excited for Christmas in November, we kind of start to forget why we even celebrate Thanksgiving.
The tradition in my family is to always set up our Christmas tree on Black Friday. We decorate our entire house, and jam out to Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas albums. (My mom's favorite.) But in our house, Christmas doesn't come a day sooner. My roommates however...are beginning to change my perspective..
We have a tree in our dorm. We have lights and snowflakes and listen to Christmas music constantly. And I actually love it. They have convinced me that there are only a few months in the year when we can do this, so we might as well enjoy every moment of it. Christmas is a wonderful time full of family, friends and service. I love the lights, songs, and feeling in the air as the countdown begins and Christmas Eve quickly approaches. And I'm learning this year that loving Christmas doesn't mean I hate Thanksgiving.
I can celebrate Thanksgiving and be completely grateful for what I have, without being caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. In fact, I can celebrate Christmas without being caught up in commercialism! The spirit of the holidays is a wonderful thing to have in your life. I don't think I'll complain nearly as much if in the future I hear Christmas from Halloween to New Years.
And maybe I'll just have to dig up or write some Thanksgiving songs so I feel like it's getting some credit. It's a holiday that deserves to be loved, too. :)
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