Shoppers are pushing and shoving each other trying to get the early bird sales and receive the maximum discounts on overpriced goods, parents are waiting in ridiculously long cold lines to get there hands on the last Wii or other must-have game, battles are being waged in the parking lots of malls, hoards of travelers are getting stuck in airports unable to get up in the friendly skies, difficult family members are in town for the duration, people are mainlining sugar and alcohol, gifts need to be bought and wrapped and serious house cleaning needs to get done before guests arrive. The clock is ticking and yet I still feel a bit detached from it all.
I wish I could get back the spirit of Christmas I had as a kid, being awed by the wonder of all the lights and decorated store windows, playing in the snow piled on the streets, shaking wrapped boxes and wondering if you were good enough to get on Santa's nice list as opposed to the dreaded naughty one. The only thing I worried about then was whether Santa would bring me those Rock em Sock em Robots, a new bike with the cool tassels, or whatever gift my little heart desired and wanted more than anything else in the world.
The real meaning of Christmas has been twisted and distorted by the pressure we put on ourselves trying to make things perfect and instead of enjoying our family and friends we just make ourselves crazy.
Apparently it is not politically correct to wish someone a Merry Christmas anymore; you are now encouraged and pressured to say Happy Holidays or Happy Christmakwanzaka or some such combination of all the holidays of every religion that celebrates something during the month of December. I'm surprised they haven't added Boxing Day to the hybrid of names. I understand not everyone celebrates this holiday but what harm are people inflicting on someone by uttering the words "Merry Christmas." I'm sorry but I don't understand what the big deal is. I wish people would just lighten up and stop be offended when someone wishes them a Merry Christmas. You don't have to believe in J.C., religion or commercialism to say "thank you" for the well wishes given to you by another human being in this crazy world.
A recent post on Blogography talks about people being encouraged to Take Back Christmas. I couldn't agree more with these eloquent words of David Simmer II, a brilliant commentator on world events and popular culture (or so he claims). Check it out, it is well worth the read.
With Christmas lights twinkling in my eyes and fresh fallen snow on my tongue, I sincerely wish you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! *thank you*
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He is brilliant, isn't he? Sometimes he hits the nail on the head for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've realized that by moving and worrying more about personal business than the whole Christmas hoopla this year, I've enjoyed it quite a bit more.
In the stores, *I* am always the one saying "excuse me" or "thank you" while the other shoppers are downright pissy little asses. Our tree took 2 1/2 days to put up due to a bad tree-stand, finding a new one, then lights that went kaput but I did not care...I just rolled with it. I guess I am enjoying what I see to be the real reason for the season.
I think societal pressures make everyone forget the peace on earth and kindness that should reign supreme right now and I am glad to not be a part of that, if just for this year :).
I couldn't agree more! Merry Christmas to you, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way-I just don't see the Christmas spirit at all and the older I get the more totally turned off I am by the whole ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI agree, too, that people should be able to just say "merry Christmas"-what is the harm?-all other religions say happy this or bless that for their "special" days.
Good post-and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
merry christmas to you too!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you..whether you celebrate "christmas" or not, its the thought that counts. when I say it to someone, I say it as a way of passing on some cheer, not a way to push my religion off on others.
I was out today shopping and it was CRAZY out there. however I was also one of the crazy ones trying to find a game for the Wii.
Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas to you!! :)
ReplyDeleteHey MB, where are you? Hope your holiday was merry and bright and that your new year is off to a good start. Give us an update when you can.
ReplyDelete