Yesterday as I was driving to work to pick up my check I drove through the enormous church located right smack dab in the middle of this tiny town that had a drive through nativity! I was ecstatic to see this because you rarely see these things in America, at least not in liberal cities that I have grown up in. The Portuguese in me decided to drive through it and check it out, since this will probably be the only one I will see until I fly to Venezuela. It was so beautiful, and it really made realize how different American customs are in comparison to other countries. Its truly sad to see how Christmas has a completely different meaning to 99% of Americans than it does to half the world. I was having a conversation with my Jewish friend and he told me that his family celebrate Christmas. Well this is absurd considering they're Jewish, but he told me that they do it because they dont see Christmas as a religious holiday anymore, neither does the rest of America! In Venezuela (and any other Roman country) Christmas isnt about presents and the Christmas tree, yes its about family and spending time together, but it has a completely different feel to it, a much more realistic, and personal feel. Santa Clause only exist because Americans say they do, its Jesus that brings you the presents. Its not Christmas tree that it the true representation of Christmas, its the Nativity Scene. The Nativity scene is so important to these people that they will start preparing for it a year in advance. My own Grandmother saves a whole room just for that purpose. People will leave their doors open and windows open just to welcome complete strangers in and boast about their Nativity. Im not very religious, considering how religious my whole family is, but I do think that Christmas holds a much deeper meaning to these people. I think its even silly how Atheists and people who look down upon Catholics and Christians, will kick up their heels and go crazy over Christmas, when they dont even appreciate the true meaning and value of it. I look at it as christians celebrating Hanukah, Why not? Isnt that just another present-giving, family spending, special event? Either way, its a special day and I hope everyone (no matter what religion) has a fantastic holiday :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Merry What?
Yesterday as I was driving to work to pick up my check I drove through the enormous church located right smack dab in the middle of this tiny town that had a drive through nativity! I was ecstatic to see this because you rarely see these things in America, at least not in liberal cities that I have grown up in. The Portuguese in me decided to drive through it and check it out, since this will probably be the only one I will see until I fly to Venezuela. It was so beautiful, and it really made realize how different American customs are in comparison to other countries. Its truly sad to see how Christmas has a completely different meaning to 99% of Americans than it does to half the world. I was having a conversation with my Jewish friend and he told me that his family celebrate Christmas. Well this is absurd considering they're Jewish, but he told me that they do it because they dont see Christmas as a religious holiday anymore, neither does the rest of America! In Venezuela (and any other Roman country) Christmas isnt about presents and the Christmas tree, yes its about family and spending time together, but it has a completely different feel to it, a much more realistic, and personal feel. Santa Clause only exist because Americans say they do, its Jesus that brings you the presents. Its not Christmas tree that it the true representation of Christmas, its the Nativity Scene. The Nativity scene is so important to these people that they will start preparing for it a year in advance. My own Grandmother saves a whole room just for that purpose. People will leave their doors open and windows open just to welcome complete strangers in and boast about their Nativity. Im not very religious, considering how religious my whole family is, but I do think that Christmas holds a much deeper meaning to these people. I think its even silly how Atheists and people who look down upon Catholics and Christians, will kick up their heels and go crazy over Christmas, when they dont even appreciate the true meaning and value of it. I look at it as christians celebrating Hanukah, Why not? Isnt that just another present-giving, family spending, special event? Either way, its a special day and I hope everyone (no matter what religion) has a fantastic holiday :)
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2 comments:
I agree. I'm not even supersuper religious, but I still don't know what the point about Christmas is if it has no meaning? Without some sort of meaning, it's just a holiday where everyone pushes and shoves their way through a store to buy a gift. As if superficiality like that really proves you love someone.
But..it's still my favoriteeee holidayyy. :) hahaha.
PS- I really like reading everything you have to say on here.
Oh, PS. I decided to follow you by logging into my gmail account..and it brought me to this whole blogger thing where, apparently, I made a blogspot blog last year. What a surprise!
But I don't get how this website works..so weird. I am seriously lost. This is weirder than the new facebook.
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