Tonight, my parents are hosting their anual christmas(holiday party to be politcally correct; although it doesn't seem to bother the jewish couple that is stuffing their faces at my house). The diversity of the array of couples shuffling through various rooms of our home is odd. Many of them don't like eachother, don't know eachother, or don't care to know eachother. Well, actually, that is only for about ten and a half months out of the year. After Thanksgiving, attitudes seem to transform. Tonight is the perfect display of this. The moment they walk over the threshhold, there are choruses of "Merry Christmas!", "How nice to see you!", and "I'm so glad you're here". The funny thing is, these words are coming from the most unlikely sources. I've got a hand in this, too. Since I've got to be the model daughter to our friends and neighbors (according to my dad-- not in those words though), I have the priviledge of taking our guest's coats. This means, of course, that I am one of the first people that they greet at the door. yay. Almost every person that has come in the door has immediately outstretched their arms for a hug. Even the people I don't know. I'm not at all surprised by this behavior anymore; it has happened every year. However, it still makes me think. What is it about the holiday season that changes people? Is it the snow? The christmas/holiday lights? The biblical thoughts of what christmas is really about? Or mabye the feeling of that obligation to be joyful because of those Jesus stories? It also could be that people are already ready to get presents. They want those gifts, and most people know they will get them. The thought might cross people's minds that if they are nice to other people, they might get more in return. I'm positive that is a reason for most people. Maybe they don't even realize that is the reason; they might cover it up with one of those other reasons, but that thought is always there. It's human nature to want and be greedy. I wonder what the reason is for every person that strides through that door, ready to drink and be merry (holiday cliche, i know, forgive me). I'm sure every person has a different mix of those reasons balled up in the back of their mind. I know I do too, and I'm searching to find out what my reasons are. But for now, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or just Happy holidays. (hey, at least it's not an emoticon...although, it's probably just as bad. or worse, considering how long it too me to find the perfect one.)
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