What does Christmas mean to you? A simple question, but one not always easy to answer. The Barrhead Leader took to the streets and garnered a broad spectrum of views. While many say Christmas is a time to get together with families, catch up and, of course, enjoy a turkey dinner, others emphasize the religious significance of the holiday. They see an opportunity for people to reconnect with God, let love grow in their hearts, remember their blessings and reflect on the deeper meaning of life.
And yet, it is clear that for some Christmas is not a celebration. Instead, it is a reminder of loneliness, heartache and family separation: the pain is all the more acute because the rest of the world appears to be having fun in a spirit of togetherness.
For Amanda Fauser, a young mother, there is always a standout image on Christmas Day.
“I love to wake up on Christmas Day and see my kids running towards the tree. They have a glow on their faces.
“The joy on a child’s face is the best thing a parent can witness.”
Gift giving, however, is not the primary event in the Fauser household over Christmas. Sharing time with family and friends is far more important.
While Fauser sees herself as a religious person who tries to follow God’s teachings through the year, Christmas does perhaps provide a period for extra reflection.
She is concerned that society has lost touch with what really matters in life. Greed for money has become too pervasive.
“There is a feeling that pockets are empty and need to be filled,” she says. “That is where the greed factor comes in.”
Brian Lamha, Co-op produce manager, sees Christmas as a chance to spend quality time with loved ones, as well as reflect on one’s life.
“Christmas is not about gifts and toys,” he says. “Nor is it about a turkey dinner. You could just as well sit down with cheeseburgers. It is about being with family and friends.”
One of Lamha’s customs is to go sledding and tobogganing over the holiday.
Dennis Ranger, who runs Barrhead Custom Meat Packers, says: “Christmas is about the birth of Jesus – some have forgotten that, but some have not. It is not about money.”
Ranger, who attends Roman Catholic Church, says making money is not evil in itself.
“It depends what you spend it on,” he adds. “Spent wisely, it can do a lot of good.”
Colleen Symyrozum-Watt, acting Superintendent of the Pembina Hills division, says: “Christmas is about the coming together of family and friends. It is a festive time. We are celebrating the life of our Saviour.”
Symyrozum-Watt says her family enjoys games and dressing up over Christmas.
“Most of all we are making memories,” she adds.
Her family also takes part in a Ukrainian tradition passed down through the generations – a twelve-dish meatless Christmas Eve supper.
According to wikipedia, the dishes represent the twelve Apostles. The tradition can be traced back to pre-Christian times and connected with remembrance of the souls of deceased ancestors.
Bertha Strydhorst put some of her thoughts about Christmas in writing.
“Christmas is about Christ,” she wrote. “It is about love, forgiveness, renewal, celebration, family gatherings, a spirit of giving more than receiving, a new start and relationships.”
Strydhorst fears a lessening of faith in modern-day society.
“We have become too self-focused, greedy, selfish and violent,” she says.
She encourages people to consider their blessings and the miracle of life.
“All we have to do is look at our own two hands and consider how they were made. We are so blessed with everything we have that we tend to take everything for granted.”
Strydhorst wants people to consider the words of 1st Corinthians 13:4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Elize Zuk has a similar message.
Christmas, she says, is a combination of the words Christ and Mass, and means a celebration.
“Christmas is love,” she says. “It is about faith, it is about believing, it is about what is in your heart. It is not about what you get, it’s about what you give.”
Like Strydhorst, Zuk believes Christmas is a time to reflect on the miracle of life.
“Being born is a miracle,” she says. “How do we explain all the miracles in our life?”
For those who says they are too busy for religion, Zuk has this response: “There is a saying ‘if you have no time for God, you are too busy’.”
Cheryle Morris, who runs Define Clothing says: “Christmas is a time for family and friends. It is about sharing, laughing and catching up.
“Everybody leads such busy lives these days. Christmas is an opportunity once a year to visit loved ones.”
Kathy Sloan has Italian roots – a great grandparent was born in Italy – which influences the way she spends the holiday.
“Christmas is about being with family. We don’t have turkey – we have Italian cold cuts instead.”
Kathy’s 11-year-old son, Carson, would like “something to do with hunting” for Christmas.
As a keen volleyball player Karissa Ternan may consider Christmas came early for her – when she helped the senior girls Gryphons win gold medals in their zone tournament and qualify for the provincials.
On Christmas Day, she plans to be just as active, playing hockey at an outdoor rink at the Agrena.
“I will be there with my siblings,” she says. “I see Christmas as a time to get together with my family.”
Her father, Pat Ternan, says: “It’s a holiday. It’s about food, friends and relaxing. It’s about enjoying your family.”
It may also be about going for a more clean-shaven look, since Ternan has been taking part in Movember – the time of year when thousands of men in Canada and around the world grow moustaches to raise funds for fighting prostate cancer.
Teenagers Alexis Saraver and Jackie Westerlund share a similar Christmas tradition at their homes – they draw names for holiday gifts.
One idea is to write names on paper slips, which are put into a bowl or a Santa hat. Family members then take one slip each and buy a gift for the person named.
In Jackie’s case, the draw is made even more interesting for the paper slips also contain a letter. The challenge is to find a gift starting with that letter.
“The draw is a good idea if you’re on a budget,” says Jackie.
Sue “B”, who does not want to use her last name, will be alone this Christmas, but plans to spend Christmas Day at the Barrhead United Church.
“They hold a festive dinner,” she says.
Sue draws a lot of comfort from her relationship with God, which has sustained her through some tough times. It means she is never alone in spirit.
To brighten up her Christmas, she may buy some jewellery – a little gift for herself.
“I would like to have a gold necklace,” she says.
