Advent Calendar. Day 3. What Christmas means to me

"Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions,

a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends."

~ Margaret Thatcher ~

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

~Albert Camus ~

What Christmas Means To Me.

As a child Christmas always began with the advent calendar.  Not the chocolate ones you get today but proper ones.  They were flimsy with 24 windows which you attempted to peel back without dismantling the front of the calendar. They depicted the nativity scene, often covered in glitter and had pictures like the 3 kings, candy canes, and Xmas stockings behind each window.  My Sister and I shared one and would argue over who was to open the final double window on Christmas Eve, the important one with the baby Jesus in his manger.  Oh the spirit of Christmas.  I attended church regularly, was a Christian so for me this was what Christmas was about.  The birth of Christ.  I loved the Christingle service with the orange, the candle representing the holy spirit and the fruit and nuts. This was Christmas........

I laugh as I see the picture of the Coke truck. For some this represents the start of Christmas when it comes on TV.  For me it was the very lengthy Woolworth's adverts. 

For Dad it was the office party on the last day of work, for Mum this was hell.

I love the atmosphere of Christmas not the commercialism. I love the smells, the sentiment and I seem to cry at everything on TV.  I love to buy gifts for family and friends,something which I try to put a lot of thought into.  Remember if you receive anything from me, Its the thought that counts. :)