That Girl from Derwent dwells on the value of religion this Christmas.
That Girl from Derwent has learned a few more things about prejudice since moving up North.
That Girl From Derwent reckons if you're going to be offensive, you should find a better reason.
That Girl from Derwent considers why it is that some words have wider implications than others.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I love the atmosphere. I love walking in snow. I love Christmas lights. I love getting the people I love together and over-indulging. Christmas makes me happy, if only for a short while.
And yet, I can't help feeling that the whole thing is a little hollow. Walking through town with my boyfriend the other night I had all of these things - but I let him in on a secret.
I wanted to go to Church.
As a child, I was always forced to attend a local Carol Service. I moaned about it. I was forced to take part in increasingly silly nativity plays. My mum used to have to supply me with a little box of Smarties as a bribe to keep my quiet through entire services. I once attended Midnight Mass and spent the time sniggering with my Grandma over the absolute boring-ness of the Vicar.
So when I went off to university, I reveled in the fact that I could choose whether - or whether not - to attend any Church over the holiday period. I decided to go to a service in the Minster - after all, it is beautiful - and I really enjoyed it. But I assumed this was because the Minster is, quote frankly, a wonderful building. and the choir was good - I appreciate good choral music.
However, this year, I didn't go anywhere. I got a later train home and missed the Carols by Candlelight I would normally attend. And so, walking through the snow on a dark night this week I turned to my boyfriend and told him I wished we could just walk into a Church and listen to people singing. Or anything really.
I never thought Christmas meant anything religious to me - yet, without the religious element, what would be the point of celebrating the day at all?
What else did I love about Christmas? I reckon the whole lights and music and winter weather is so loved because it reminds me it's that time of year again - the time to be with the people I love. Last Christmas my sister was away and it dampened the whole thing for me. But so what? If being with family is so important to me, I don't need to wait for Christmas to visit relatives.
Which makes me wonder why people attach so much importance to days such as New Year’s Eve? If I could have a pound for every time I’ve been asked what I’m doing for New Years, I wouldn’t have to worry about buying so many books for next term. A friend of mine enthusiastically outlined his plans for his usual epic party, while another friend solemnly assured me his intention to return to his university for the New Year – as if it should mean something to me. Frankly, I read the text with a mixture of amusement and bemusement. What was so special about that night? What was so special I should have automatically realized why he so wanted to make sure he was back there?
On the one hand, I want to laugh, and admit that, actually we all need our little days of holiday to relax and enjoy ourselves after the stress of exams and essays and jobs.
But this isn’t true. If we put the same amount of energy, the same amount of determination to enjoy ourselves into EVERY day, as we do into days like Christmas, our birthdays and New Year’s Eve, then we might be just that little bit happier the rest of the year.
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