To be perfectly truthful, I was only half-mortified when I learned about some “appalling” news regarding a church who decided to cancel their Sunday Service on Christmas. If truth be told, I'm really not into this Christmas-thing for as long as I can remember…so the information didn't really come as a total shocker to me. In fact, I admire them for this radical move.

I have consequently received a rabid scoff from half of the entire human race when I made an open declaration five years ago on the subject of my being a “non-Christmas person.” I've been nixing this whole Christmas fanfare for years. Christmas trees and stockings and mistletoes and what-have-yous? Nada. Big Christmas dinner? Zilch. These thoughts must have been niggling over their heads: How could she have the gall not to party on Christmas…even those who don't believe in the Christ of Christmas celebrate Christmas, for crying out loud!

Before you choke me for my grinch-like-sacriligeous stand, allow me to waffle about…

I guess my Christmas-apathy began eons ago when my geeky college calculus professor wrote at-length about the ‘wrong-ness' of Christmas…first off, what makes one so sure that Christ was born on December 25? Don't worry I won't bore you into the mind-numbing details of Christmas correct-ness…

Is it because of the hideous traffic that is equated to the Christmas season? The hordes of people in the malls? The increase in crime rate during the holidays? Disgusting looong queues in the cashier? The Christmas shopping a-frenzy? Corny parties? The guzzling down of fat-laden Christmas dishes? Or is it the perfunctory gift-exchange that degrades the concept of giving? Or is the stark contrast of the First Christmas to our present-day Christmases?

Despite my fear of being pegged as a mindless consumer, I give in to the onslaught of Christmas bleatings and conform to those in spending spree. I am not an island…therefore I toe the Christmas line and make merry and wrap gifts like all the rest of humanity. It's hard to break family tradition—in my husband's side, Christmas is such a major thing. Or should I say, I'm a coward? I've only mustered enough courage not to buy a single décor for Christmas--not a single blinking light to adorn my house.

I'm not really a grinch, am I? Half a grinch, perhaps?

Maybe because, I do not have the heart to boycott Christmas altogether—

It's because I can not really discount the fact that Christmas is a time to share good tidings and joy. To remember those who are in need. To show love for friends and family by giving our time and care. Isn't that what Christmas really is all about? I know this sounds cliché-ish, but I want to hold true to the meaning of real Christmas—not the Holiday Hysteria that is quite evident in today's world.

I want to maintain the integrity of giving by giving of my own accord and from my heart, rather than giving during a particular season…because at one point in my life, I have also realized that Christmas is not confined in a date. Neither is it found in a Christmas gift under a tree…nor in a table festooned with a hearty Christmas feast…nor in a hefty 18-month pay.

And with that belief, I can proudly state that nothing and no one can snatch Christmas away from me…not even the storm that claimed hundreds of lives in the Quezon province last year, the tsunami disaster, nor the death of my mother.

Because I know what Christmas really means.

Too bad, Charles Dickens defeated me into coming up with this quotation:

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.
- - - Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"

Speaking of carols, let me leave you with this Christmas carol to mull over:

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy!
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas Day.

So, am I thinking of skipping Christmas? Let me think again.

Merrilee R. C. Montana maintains her claim that she isn't really a “grinch” despite the fact that her house has been devoid of a Christmas thingamajig in her almost fifteen years of existence as a wife and mother. She, in fact, enjoys “Christmas” all year round.

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