Real meaning in the midst of madness

So here we are; on the verge of Christmas. Are you tuckered out yet? Has the battle for discount prices and the quest for a perfect gift taken its toll?

If it has, take heart. You’re not alone. Next time you visit your friends and neighbours, take a good look at them. They’re about as burnt as last night’s firewood and hoping like so many others that Christmas comes soon.

Can you blame them? For the past couple of months, we’ve been assaulted five ways from Sunday with buy this, buy now, don’t wait, hurry in. It’s nothing new, but sensory overload in the great retail rush to Christmas is a very serious occupational health and safety issue.

As soon as the kids see that Aqua Doodle, Bob the Builder Playdoh set or Tickle Me Elmo, the nagging starts. “I want that!� they declare or, in the case of our young man, who’s as cagey as can be, “I like that.�

He removes the imperative and merely makes the suggestion of want, which (if you get right down to it) is such a sophisticated way of expressing need I’m surprised I didn’t think of it when I was his age.

Adults aren’t immune to the hype, either. Advertisements play to our softer instincts and try to capitalize on our love of family and friends.

What’s disappointing is the insinuation that Christmas won’t be all it could be if we don’t make a particular purchase. If a diamond ring doesn’t appear on our beloved’s finger, we’ve done her a disservice and essentially undeclared our affection.

If I don’t receive the requisite power tools, my wife will have failed me in some regard because such items are, in fact, a Yuletide staple. What red-blooded Canadian man can do without a router underneath the tree? I know one guy who can!

Truth is, though, it’s everywhere: push, push, push. Frankly, it’s irritating, and by the time we arrive at Christmas Day, people are full of surly goodwill that’s generally released at the dinner table.

It’s amazing how a simple request like, “Pass the cranberries,� can come out sounding like, “Gimme the damn stuff, will ya?� But it happens.

Add a bit of wine with supper and a liqueur afterward and you have the makings of a real donnybrook. There’s nothing that says ‘Merry Christmas’ like the post-feast free-for-all, where uncle Joe admits he can’t stand aunt Millie’s meatloaf, his hairpiece is literally held up for ridicule and cousin Bill strips down to show off a new tattoo as part of the festivities.

Small wonder a guy like me longs for plenty of quiet time at Christmas. I’m as affected as anyone else by the seasonal stresses, although this year I have to admit I’m just about done my shopping, we’ve made our plans for the holidays and the kids have been fantastic.

They’re full of energy and clearly excited, but they haven’t gone nuts yet. And maybe that’s the finest gift of all to their dear old dad. We have a tree, sing Christmas carols every night, and our Nativity scene has place of pride on our big boy’s desk.

He moves the characters around every day, positioning Mary beside the baby Jesus and Joseph next to the three wise men. It looks like a kitchen party in some ways, with each sharing a secret moment with the other while gazing upon the newborn child.

I’ve been watching our kids as we barrel headlong toward Dec. 25 and feel strangely calm, certain that they’ve figured it all out.

To their minds, Christmas is a mosaic; a collection of neat things rolled into one. There’s Santa and presents; time with mom and dad; visits with Oma and Opa; phone calls to Nanny Sgam and fam; the Nativity; pretty lights; a fine tree.

Ultimately, it’s togetherness. They seem to understand that, no matter what, we’re in this thing together, as nutty and crazy as it is, and therein lays its saving grace.

They’re at peace with the season’s frenzy for they know its essence and have found meaning at its core. May each of us be so lucky as to do the same.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas.