A Jewish Christmas…
Come sit down while I carry on
to tell my story – a real oxymoron.
My growing up years from as far as I can remember
each and every winter December
was a real celebration of presents and feasts
of rituals and yearly treats.
You see, I grew up in a Jewish household
and only now that I am somewhat older
can I try to make some sense of it all
Hanukkah and Christmas, but that’s not all—
Santa was also somewhere in the mix,
a pillowcase full of toys and some tricks.
Yet I am Jewish – we celebrated the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah for 8 days and even 8 nights.
And every day we would get a small gift—
a pen, some chocolate and we would often drift
when we were told the story of the Second Temple,
the Maccabees and that’s not all—
I wasn’t bothered I was just a kid
doing exactly what other kids did – and fidgeted.
We’d go to the synagogue with family in tow,
coming home to eat all the food that we know.
Judaism, one may not be aware,
is so linked to food and with others we would share
and Hanukkah is donuts and lots of fried food
to celebrate the ‘Miracle of lights’ and all that is good.
And this was my yearly memory
and yet what’s confusing – you’ll see –
is that we also celebrated Christmas
no big thing – it will come to pass.
But we woke up to a pillowcase on Christmas morning
so excited to see what Santa did bring.
The toys spilling out all over the floor
and what’s more…
We were Jewish, we didn’t believe
yet still so enthusiastic to receive,
what an oxymoron.
Let me carry on…
Parents teach their children to tell the truth
and we talk about the Easter bunny, the Fairy and the tooth,
So when it came to Santa,
my parents did what they thought best
to be like all the other kids at school living in the West.
And nobody worked over the Christmas break
so we’d all eat together and for goodness sake.
We did celebrate like our neighbors and friends,
food and drink and I suppose it depends
on the size of your clan,
all just did what they can.
So, in short this was my Jewish Christmas while I was small
and although no decorations – none at all –
not once did we ever have a Christmas tree
yet
Mum would insist on a kosher turkey?!!
One big juicy oxymoron…
