What this Jew Likes About Christmas

You know what I like about Christmas? The warmth. And the comfort.

Thank GOD it's not 66 degrees outside anymore, so I can ACTUALLY warm myself with an overcoat and a pair of gloves. It's so comfortable, you guys! And it might snow a bit too tonight, too!

I have a funny relationship with this environment and atmosphere that us humans have created with this thing we call Christmas.

You see, my mom is Jewish and my dad is born Christian  So, though memories in general are fuzzy when you're 2 or 3, as soon as I heard about this thing called Santa Claus, the 2 or 3 year old version of me probably said a rendition of, "Well...Why wouldn't I want THAT?!"

While raised as a Jewish boy, I certainly sat on that fat man's lap a bunch of times. I remember when I  was...probably 3 (this memory HAS to be that early...) I remember being at my aunt and uncle's place in Northern Virginia, concerned that the sled I wanted wouldn't arrive because I hadn't gotten to talk to Santa, and ON TOP of that I wasn't at the place I generally reside. When I got the sled in the morning, my mom explained to me that she got to stop Santa on his way from house to house and he just so happened to have an extra sled on him.

Remember...This is the JEWISH mother from BROOKLYN telling me this.

I sat on Santa's lap till I was 9, I think. Then, I moved to New York.

And Christmas in New York. I know it's cliche but man, this place is so awesome.

And the music? Timeless. Classics. Many written by Jews, in fact.

And that's the thing. There's just something about the holiday time that just feels good. And you don't have to be religious to enjoy the feeling around, even if today most people in the world are at Mass celebrating Christ.

It's a good feeling to finish the year getting and receiving. They both make you feel good. Certain people just don't have to get so crazy and emotional about it. And it feels good to be around family, no matter how much they make you crazy sometimes.

The colors of green and red look good this time of year. The energy of the city surrounded by those colors just makes you driven, and excited, and ready to take on the new year ahead.

And the music. Did I mention the music?

So, enjoy the time that will be had tomorrow. Soak it all up and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the holiday season. It's a good time of year, and I'm ready for the next one to arrive.

From this Jew to you, Merry Christmas everyone.

And the only way to end it is...

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series I am developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page, follow on Twitter here, and listen to the research process here.

A Mets Legacy Photo of the Shabbos - The Left Arm of God

For a recap of today's 3-2 loss in Lakeland, check out Rising Apple.


I was in the neighborhood of the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse this afternoon, and there were two Hasidim talking to Jay. One of them mentioned they "used" to be a Mets fan, but then clarified that he used to follow them a lot heavier than he does now. One of them then asked me if I would like to wear the Tefillin. Having not prayed in a while, for one, and having not worn the tefillin in a while, I obliged.

So, as a tribute to my fellow Jewish brethren, here is all of our favorite Southpaw.

For all of you staying in this evening, or for those going out to where there will be sports on, make sure you tune in for our favorite Knuckler, R.A. Dickey (a man who doesn't celebrate the Sabbath till Sunday) taking the mound for USA v Mexico at 9PM EST on MLB Network.

(Italia MERCY-RULED the Canadians?!)

Good Shabbos, everyone.

SUPER. SHABBOS.
LET'S. GO. METS.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Baseball

I feel as if I should say that year-round.

"Happy baseball."

Most people would look at me funny, if they don't already when I open my mouth.

But that's me. That's what I feel like saying.

I have no idea what it means...

But its what I want people to have.

As I've mentioned on here before, baseball is my religion.

And while culturally I am Jewish, my Dad was a Christian and my mother is of the Hebrew faith. As I entered true human consciousness (after that crazy phase where you make funny faces constantly, all while taking in the world for the first time ever and not remembering one single moment where you first learned all that human stuff...very sorry for the digression) I looked at that Santa Claus guy and basically said, "NO WAY I'm going to live in a world where I don't get to enjoy THAT." And my parents, each reformed in their own religions, ate up the holiday season with me.

(And had Santa always looked like that up there, I probably would have become a Mets fan a lot sooner.)

My Dad eventually converted to Judaism though.

"Does this mean we have to stop celebrating Christmas?"

'Cause when it comes down to it, I guess I'm more American than anything. And the Christmas we know today is a grand American invention taken from many old traditions, and some new ones that aren't as old as we all think they are.

And I love it.

I love the warmth of the Holiday season, the lights and the city, the food and the family. And the music.

Oh, man, the music is awesome.

(And, let's be honest, probably written by a bunch of Jews.)

I am not Jewish

nor Christian

nor Buddist

nor Muslim.

Nor Raelian

nor Hindu 

nor Druid 

nor Pagan.

I am American.

And I am a Metropolitan.

Happy baseball, everybody.

Through the years

We all will be together

If the fates allow.

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself a Merry Little Christmas now.

MERRY. CHRISTMAS.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.