Who? Me?
The Holidays as an ex-Roman Catholic are definitely interesting. I grew up involved in the church and at one point wanted to become a Nun. My family was so proud. Well that all changed when I became depressed. That didn’t go away and it evolved into serious mental illness. It didn’t get better no matter how much I prayed and begged. I kept asking for signs. A big reason that I fell from the church is that I can’t picture an afterlife. No matter how much I try I can’t believe in anything but black nothingness that takes hold and you just cease to be. No thoughts. Nothing. Your body just decays and you’re gone. You just don’t exist. (Sorry for being grim)
Another reason I won’t go back is that I disagree with ALOT of opinions from the church and the Pope. 😁
I’m not sure where I stand in religion or faith. I’ve explored Paganism as a whole and into Wicca directly. Not sure what I believe but I do what feels right that day.
My husband has been Norse Pagan for a very long time. He has helped me explore Paganism and educates me on different areas of it.
Some religious rituals from the church still bring me comfort. I automatically want to grab the religious Christmas cards and put a nativity scene up. But of course we can’t let my mother know that.
During the holidays my husband and I celebrate Christmas as just a time to be together. One year we’ll do a full Yule. Then we experience a religious Christmas with my family and extended family. The religion makes both of us a bit uncomfortable (he was very uncomfortable at first). But my family doesn’t push us to convert during the holidays. Besides my Nana who pushes me to push my husband to convert.
We just look at each other during the blessings and make faces since everyone’s eyes are closed. Not out of disrespect but to ease our anxiety.
I say Amen and the blessing out of habit. It’s like someone saying mitochondria and it’s like a switch is flipped. “The mitochondria is the power house of the cell.”
When I came to visit for the Holidays from University I would go to church with my family because it made my mom so happy. Christmas mass can be 2 hours long. The Gods know I love her.
It’s give and take. I don’t agree to anything that would make my husband uncomfortable and I don’t agree to anything that doesn’t sound fair.
My Papa passed in May so we had to go to the church service for it. It was a different experience with tattoos (including a Pentagram) and piercings.
This just became a diary page. 🤷🏻♀️ Oops
Happy Holidays!!
The exploration of faith during the holidays can be a profound experience, especially for those transitioning between belief systems. Many find comfort in familiar rituals even after distancing from organized religion. The act of blending traditions, like celebrating Christmas while appreciating Yule, honors both personal beliefs and family heritage. It’s essential to communicate openly about beliefs to maintain familial bonds without compromising personal identities. Engaging in conversations about faith, expectations during holiday gatherings, and respecting each other's preferences can create a harmonious holiday atmosphere. Consider journaling your thoughts to reflect on your journey and growth, transforming what could be a tense situation into an opportunity for connection. Overall, finding balance in spiritual practices while celebrating family togetherness can enrich your holiday experiences.