...but what about the baby?

Say what? The baby??


My 3-yr old nephew A calls me often. The past few weeks, he seems to have found a new love for this Aunty, and asks for my sis to dial my number. I believe it may have to do with the fact that I'm often associated with choco, and the one who brings him those Sour Patch jelly beans, which in one mouthful make him squint, smile, make funny face and move shoulders weirdly - all worth it for the end result, a thrill and a task of getting the chewy thing off his teeth.

Today, A tells me he is making a birthday card. I'm confused. Then, Panic. Did I miss a family birthday? Nope. We have no birthday's until February.

Perhaps he's making a card for a friend at school. Nope.

Well, five minutes through the conversation, I hear A say, "Mama, A wants to buy Baby Jesus a present!". Ah, Baby Jesus! Now, it makes sense. Christmas approaching, birthday, baby, gifts etc.

(And yes, sometimes he talks of himself in third person, quite funny.)

It struck me coz I think Christmas is no longer mainly celebrated because it is Baby Jesus' birthday. It exists in the peripheral subconcious, well-covered with more symbolic gestures such as exchanging gifts, eating lots of food, wearing nice clothes, and basically doing a lot of traditional things without an inkling of the true purpose of Christmas.

On the one hand I'm thrilled. A Catholic celebrates Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Eid, etc. and a Muslim celebrates Thanksgiving, Holi, Easter and many others. We are coming closer together, like one big family.

In the midst of all of this, I think it is important to remember the true meaning of a festival, if only for a few minutes coz let's face it, where's the time to sing eighteen carols around the fireplace? (Note. this will happen if I'm home, at least for a little bit. It probably won't be more than a few carols, and then random songs with me sometimes acting like a Zubin on the piano, but honestly just dishing out beats for communal merriment. )

I would want my child to know and understand that Baby Jesus is a very integral, or rather the sole purpose we celebrate Christmas, followed by all the activity of stuffed stockings, delicious food, wine, Perry Como singing 'The First Noel', grandma, grandpa showering gifts and Christmas pudding. It is part of what has become a Christmas get together, with family and loved ones. And it is truly valued.

I'd also be completely warm and fuzzy if my child wanted to buy Baby Jesus a gift. How precious and thoughtful. I just hope he isn't thinking iPad or something like that.

Wish you all a warm, wonderful and Merry Christmas, filled with laughter and opportuntity to make some fabulous memories for the future. Eat lots of whatever is on that table coz it is special, and made just for you!


Today I'm humming my hottie Dean-O's song: Memories are made of these.

Where's his signature cigarette??