When I was a child I believed that nothing bad could happen to anyone on Christmas Eve. It was a magical time of the birth of God’s son. time when everyone was kind, loving and forgiving… well, at least in the stories that I heard. Families got together, special food was prepared, nothing fancy, just simple, traditional dishes but tasting more deliciously than anything else because it was prepared only once a year and on the day of Christmas Eve only that one meal  would be served – the Christmas Eve Supper.

The house was always beautifully decorated. With a white table cloth and my parents’ best tableware on the table, our living room transformed into a place from a book or a film. Everyone was dressed very smart and the best effort was made not to spill barszcz ( the beetroot soup ) on the white tablecloth, which had to be linen and therefore mother made much more fuss if such a spill had occured, and despite the best effort it always had.

It was on Christmas Eve that we decorated our Christmas tree and opened our presents that came from the Star. But all of that was nothing comparing to the excitement that we all, well, all the children felt waiting for their pets to start talking at midnight! I was usually quite worried that my dog would complain about something as our father teased us that this would be the case… Unfortunately I never had a chance to check my father’s story as I couldn’t keep my eyes open until midnight.

There was also one other detail that fed my imagination. The place at the table left for a stranger, a person in need, who might come and knock on our door looking for some food and company on the very special night. I waited for years for someone to come and knock on our door, imagining who would it be and what the supper be like with a stranger. I didn’t feel fear just excitement and willingness to help. That’s what Christmas shoud be about, shouldn’t it? Opening your heart to others and helping or did I imagine it too?

We would often dine with extensive family and sing carols after the supper and opening our presents. Everything seemed so wonderful. The warmth of the house on a cold winter night, the decorated house, the family gathered together, the smell of food and spotless house…

It all seems but a distant memory. A child’s memory, so naive believing in the purity and goodness of the human kind… Today I hear people talk about presents for Christmas and that’s all there is to it in most cases. Endless lists of shoppings. Getting more stuff and more sruff but eventually it all lands in your rubbish… That’s the Grinch talking not me, well maybe me a little too. I do think that giving is wonderful and there is nothing more beautiful than a smile on your child’s face when they open their present but let’s make it one really good present and give the rest to those who can appreciate even a small present more. Let’s make some of our presents, not giving our money to those who have already more than enough and sell overprised things to have even more!

Let’s not exonerate the Scrooges of our times just because today they can hide their wealth better! Let’s boycotte their shops and their banks and wipe the smirks off their faces… Too strong? Well, I’m no longer a child nor am I naive and so I predict a nasty end for you Scrooge – You will go to hell!