I hate Christmas. Not in the Scrooge sort of way though. He hated Christmas because he never got into the decorations, or maybe just the cost of the decorations. I hate Christmas for a completely different set of reasons.
On the morally superior side, I hate Christmas because as much as everyone talks about "the true meaning of Christmas", the reality is that it is an excuse for the rich to flaunt their goods and make businesses even richer. It is also an exercise in gluttony and greed. All this is, of course, done with the ever-present help of the Chinese sweatshops that keep the 'made-in-china' decorations coming.
On a more personal note I hate Christmas for the dreaded question. "what do you want for Christmas?" I think I've been asked the question four or five times today. and the truth of the matter is, I want nothing. Nothing that any one could give me is going to make me happier, better adjusted to my society, or (significantly) better off economically. But the question is not about my needs. It is about my wants. Everyone has them. Little things that you have desired for some time without putting too much energy into actually acquiring. Once you acquire this little thing, it will take an honored place in the back of a cupboard or closet where you won't think about it again. I really don't want to have my house cluttered by these sort of things though. So this year, this is want I want. I want you to donate a toy to a needy child. I want you to send money to your nearby homeless shelter. I want you to say something nice about that really annoying person in your life.
And once you've done that, then we can really have a happy Christmas. (but not a merry one because apparently 'merry' isn't the right sort of lingo anymore)
5 comments:
I believe I fully grasp the concept and I believe it to be most excellent. You can count on me!
Let us have a truly enjoyable Christmas this year!
I hope you like your lump of coal!
;)
Only kidding!!!
I agree - Christmas has really become Crasscommercialisationmas in the past few years.
Maybe my memory is tricking me, but I'm sure it wasn't this rammed down our throats about needing to buy everyone in your family a plasma tv, three bikes and a solar-powered banana peeler by all of the shops from September onwards.
Ugh.
So yes, we should reclaim it and use it as a time to give others things that will really matter and help them and be of benefit :) I like the wish trees at places like Kmart as well as ADRA's Really Useful Gift Guide for a start :)
But that's what makes Christmas special! Because this time of year is when people do things like give to charity, donate toys, etc. Sure, it's too bad that we don't do it year round, but at least we do it. And there's something about
the Christmas season that motivates people.
I love Christmas just because it's Christmas. And I love giving presents as much as getting them. It's just fun.
Christmas is what you make it.
Merry means slightly drunk. Of course we don't wish people to be slightly drunk for Christmas (or any other time).
In a year of being negetive, of bad things happening in the world, of self doubt and self criticizm, there is this holiday that promotes joy...it promotes positive wishes toward others... Granted, this may not be enough to overcome the negetivity of everyone's world, but it does cause some readjustment in one perception.
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