Various thoughts on Xmas
It seems that all of the holidays are changing, actually morphing into some sleazy shadow of what they once were. Halloween is a good example. We have gone from celebrating departed souls to kids dressed up like hookers demanding candy at our door. Christmas is getting just as ridiculous. One hundred years ago it was about celebrating the birth of Jesus and experiencing the true joy of giving. In one hundred years from now, when December will actually be the beginning of Autumn, I expect it will have devolved into some bland ritual where we trade "consumer credits" and point bright lights up into the sky off of the roofs of our houses as we search for "Holiday". "Holiday" will be a fat man (a corporate executive) in a red tie who passes over each year on the 25th of December to honor the true meaning of credit which represent the holiday spirit of consumption....or something like that.
My dad used to tell stories of growing up in Wisconsin in the early part of the twentieth century when they really did get around on horse and sleighs at Christmas. I grew up in Southern California, so we could only fantasize such things. But that's what the "Night before Christmas" story was for as well as the Christmas Carole's.
There was a certain magic at Christmas that I'm sure kids don't experience these days. I think it had to do with the fact that we never got much thru out the year so at Christmas we really had something to look forward to.
Now I'm not Christian but I think this generic-offend no one- thing that Christmas is turning into is a bunch of crap. I want Christmas to remain a Christian holiday. It is about celebrating the birth of Christ and the spirit of giving which is what Jesus's life was really all about. I like the songs and the mangers and the whole Christian spirit of it all. Even though I may not philosophically agree with their message, who cares? This is a Christian holiday and if you don't like that then don't celebrate it! But don't try to change it because the message offends you. Start your own damn holiday if you must, but let the Christians keep their Christmas intact. Besides, it's a part of our American tradition. So to all of you atheist's and Jews and Muslims and whoever else gets offended by the Christian message, I say, get over yourself and put your energy into something more constructive.
One last thought on Christmas....a few of my own personal Christmas wishes.....
I wish that somebody would invent a Xmas tree stand that really worked.
I wish that people would quit putting up these Costco blow up things in their front yards.
I wish that there was a way to unravel my Xmas tree lights in less than 2 hours.
I wish that I knew how to wrap a gift better then a 6 year old.
But mostly, I wish that we can all put aside our political, spiritual, and social differences for a few weeks and just accept each other for who we are, regardless of what that is, and allow the true spirit of love, generosity, and acceptance to fill our hearts. I think we can, at least until after the first of the year when the primaries begin....then screw you all, especially those of you who disagree with me. Until then....Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!