It’s Christmas Day.  It’s late enough that Q is in bed and we are relaxing and unravelling from the day (which was remarkably stress-free).

Yesterday and today have been good days.  Last night, I made a turkey dinner, Q got to open a gift, Mr. T did some baking – cookies, muffins AND  a cake!

This morning, Q slept in, we opened gifts, I made enough brunch for a dozen people (but there were only 4 of us), and then we pretty much played all afternoon (a new train set from Nanni was a huge hit).  While Q napped, Nanni and I did a puzzle.  We wrapped up the evening  with leftovers and my favourite holiday movie While You Were Sleeping.

All told, it’s been a great couple of days (and the season is nowhere near over for us).

Evidently, we celebrate Christmas in our house.  It’s a secular Christmas, though – no nativity, no church services, and Christmas/Santa songs instead of Christmas carols.

But our secular Christmas does not revolve around consumerism, gift-getting, or spending money.  Sure, Santa comes to our house, but what is so bad about him?!

I love the legend of Santa Claus – he is a selfless, giving man who prepares all year for the one night when he delivers gifts to children to bring them joy.  He fills hearts with magic, wonder, and hope, and brings joy to little faces.

It amazes me the lengths that we, as a society, go to in order to keep the dream alive for the children – all children, not just ours or ones we know.  All children.  We go out of our way to keep the legend of Santa alive and the wonder on little faces.  We come together as a collective and publicly support the dreams of the littlest, youngest, smallest, and most hopeful of our society.

A secular Christmas is not void meaning, depth, or value.  It is not about spending money or receiving gifts.  It is about love, hope, joy, family, giving, magic, fantasy, wonder, togetherness, traditions, and peace.

Love is the true meaning of Christmas – even a secular one.

I hope you have (or have had) a great holiday season, whatever you may celebrate – Kwanzaa, Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid…may it have been filled with love, joy, peace, and a lot of laughter.

Happy New Year to all!