Christmas isnt meant to be an un-merry time. It is meant to be a merry time, hence the song. Some old dude wouldnt have written a song called 'We wish you a merry Christmas", if it was an un-merry time. Besides, 'we wish you an un-merry Christmas' wouldnt fit the music.

Last Sunday I went Christmas shopping... Sure, some people might think I've left it a little late, but I should remind you that I regularly leave my Christmas shopping till December 24th, so in my mind, Im a week early.

I have never been more pushed, shoved and bustled around in a shopping complex in my life. Mostly by women who cant drive shopping trolleys. I shall refrain from making the obvious connection between shopping trolley's and cars *cough*. Women shoulder charging is NOT a good look.

My point is, that no-one looks happy at Christmas time, although I looked happy when I saw a Dad, obviously frustrated by his wife and kid, break down and have a temper tantrum in the middle of Westfield, storming off and leaving his wife whining about not being able to slowly peruse another stupid shop.

When I shop, there is never any perusing and fluffing about. Its all military style... quick insertion, hit the target, fast extraction. Thats it. End. I get in, get what I need, get out. But at Christmas, it seems Women turn into bloodsucking vampires, and dads are destined to be dragged around by their toenails, forced to carry over-loaded shopping bags, and enter thousands of shops just to look, even though the female fully knows they will not buy a single thing. Just cruel.

Christmas doesnt seem all that jolly. Or does it? Despite the shoulder-charging customer-shoving people-hitting trolly-smashing father-breaking she-vampires that emerge from their little wooden coffins around Christmas time, there is a good side to the shopping...

Spend a day down at the local centre, and you are destined to see all those friends that live 10mins away from you, but that you never ever see. Friends that used to mean so much, that shared in so many happy memories, but became memories themselves... Christmas shopping is a time to enjoy, wander around, and reconnect with your memories.

Christmas shopping isnt about the presents, the money, the pushing or even the shoving. Its about a chance to see your old friends, get together, and celebrate the value of relationship. Because, at the end of the day, regarldless of what you believe, Christmas is about God sending Jesus so man could have a relationship with him. Its all about relationship.