I’m sure, dear reader, that you don’t need me to tell you that we are only a few short days away from Christmas. “Peace, good will to all men”, we are told, unless one shows the smallest deviation from the orthodox view that Christmas must be enjoyed, whether you like it or not. Indeed, the build-up, which goes on and on and on, for months, must also be enjoyed, come what may.

Let me be clear, there are those who genuinely enjoy Christmas. And why not? Why shouldn’t people enjoy the carols, the cheesy pop songs, belting out Fairytale Of New York in the pub, taking the children to see Father Christmas, the exchanging of presents, the food, the drink, the time with loved ones, the Christmas films, Morecambe & Wise (again), the King’s speech, or even the frantic and elicit tumble at the office party, followed by an urgent post coital prayer to any and all gods that there will be no consequences, so partners need never know? Why should not Christians enjoy comforting the birth of their lord and saviour? That is, after all, the point of Christmas. But conversely, why should everyone have to enjoy it?

For many, Christmas is a terribly difficult time. For some, it is a time of great loneliness. For others, it is the time when they feel, most acutely, the loss of a loved one, either through bereavement or some form of relationship breakdown. For victims of abuse, it can be hell, as they are confined with there abusers, and don’t have the refuge of their places of work or education. And of course, there are those who simply don’t like Christmas.

There are an ever-increasing number of pre-Christmas celebrations of Christmas, which in turn creates an unreasonable burden of expectation. We are exhorted to be frenetically sociable, whether we wish to or no. We are urged to recklessly impoverish ourselves by buying presents, not only for our nearest and dearest, but also for colleagues, our children’s teachers, friends, and a whole host of random people we barely know, and probably don’t like. If a person spends Christmas alone, it is almost considered a scandal. This is, in fact, a form of bullying. It must stop. Most people assert the right to live their lives entirely as they wish, and respect the rights of others to do the same. Why then, should the relentless celebration of Christmas be the exception? If you enjoy all of the festive shenanigans, but you know people who hate them, leave those people be. As the young people say, or so I’m told, you do you, and let them do them.

And so, dear reader, I wish you a happy Christmas, however you choose to spend it. And if it isn’t your cup of tea, I wish you luck getting through it, and would remind you that better days are just around the corner.