After two months of holiday shopping, infernal Christmas music and festive winter decorations, the day of present-opening and family time is here. But while many Long Beach residents spend Christmas Day inside their homes, celebrating the centuries-old Christian tradition in the company of loved ones, many more are not.
In a city as diverse as Long Beach, it’s always seemed odd to not think of those among us who are Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Kwanzaa-celebrators or otherwise Christmas-free.
So I wondered aloud (aka on Facebook, Twitter and in conversations with friends) what it was like to get a few days off and a mellow work week in honor of a holiday with roots that may not pertain to one’s religious beliefs. And the responses I received pointed not to spite at Christian dominance or allusions to the “War on Christmas,” but instead a heartwarming mix of holiday diversity acceptance and thanks-for-the-day-off humor.
In the end, a common statement was that all religious beliefs aside, Christmas brings a festive time of year meant to be shared with friends and family. And that’s something that everyone can and should get into regardless of whether you spend today huddled around a Christmas tree or searching for the nearest Chinese restaurant.
Below are some of my favorite responses to the query, “Who out there is NOT celebrating Christmas and what is this week like for you?”
via Long Beach, Calif. Facebook page:
Long Beach resident Rachael Rifkin also sent the following response in an email:
When I was young my family and I would go driving around, looking to see what was open on Christmas. Of course, now it’s more common for some stores to be open. Back in the 80s and 90s, it was more exciting to find a store or restaurant open.
I still like to drive around and see what’s open, but mostly I just marvel at how empty the roads are and wish that they were always like that. It’s a pretty relaxing season for me because I don’t have to worry about shopping for everyone. Now I sometimes celebrate Christmas with my brother’s wife’s family, but getting them gifts is actually kind of fun. There’s a $20 limit and I try to be creative. It’s just fun to participate in a Christmas celebration after feeling left out for so many years.
________
Thanks to everyone who responded to my infrequently asked question. What are the rest of you doing today/this week?