The only thing I like about this time of the year and the holiday of Christmas is that in my perverse outlook is that it points out in a glaring statement the hypocritical nature of Christianity. Forget the obvious date discrepancies. Here is a holiday that is promoted as a time for giving, in honor of the birth of a child that gives the world the greatest gift of all.
Even among my Christian friends the disconnect between this meaning and what it has become is something to be lamented. Yet, they can not bring themselves to make the break that would disassociate this holiday from their religion.
I must say that I see that as one of many ways that the memory of this revolutionary thinker has been perverted. I say revolutionary with the utmost respect. If you take the teachings of Christ and place them in context of the historical times, you don't get the basis of a religion but a revolution. It wasn't viewed by his followers as soon enough or direct enough and they deserted and betrayed him. The religion did not follow until many years later.
I'll cite only one scenario, among many, that might illustrate the disdain that this man might exhibit in regards to our celebration of his birth. The story is told, that upon entering the temple and seeing the vendors selling their wares, Christ pulled out what can only be described as a "can of whup ass". How do you think he might react today upon entering a mall?
I have a proposal, a revolutionary way to celebrate Christmas and "the Christ spirit". I believe that if a major department store came forward and stated that in lieu of decorations and advertising was going to donate that money to charity. That all discounts were going to handled the same, that the PR and the spirit spread among its customers would exceed any Christmas before, even on the bottom line.
So I offer this idea free of charge in the Christmas spirit to anyone in retail who has the courage to be a revolutionary.
| | Posted by wingfire at 5:26 PM - | |
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I used to laugh at hearing parents lament the fact that their kids seemed to miss the real spirit of the holiday and were only interested in what they were getting, apparently not being able to see that they had made them that way but now I feel more like puking.
And then there's the whole "war on christmas" b.s. that we have to listen to every year; enough I say! How about we all agree to make it a private family holiday to be celebrated (or not) in small groups, quietly.
a much more concise statement of my position
wingfire
I'm going to with Bob Seeger when states, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then"
wingfire
LOVE your suggestion. If only..... I still can't get over the people who stand in line for days for an electronic device and then get into a shoving match over it.
The origins of the Christmas traditions are so interesting, too - - so very unrelated to the Christian faith, ultimately.
Great post!
I think your idea is a great one, but I have little faith that it will be done any time in the near future.
I'm not saying we have it right, but i do think the 'season to be jolly' is just that by personal choice. It's one of two days that mean the most to me, the other being Easter. I don't really mind what others do to celebrate the season, but i really mind what i choose but being a tad flexible helps
I would go far as to state that Christmas would be a more interesting if religion was not a part of it. It's interesting the subtle changes in marketing to the American consumer. A decade ago it was the best. be unique, stand out now it is the number one seller, everyone has it.
though I have to say that even at three feet, Natalie Wood had the eyes that woud make me say,"anything you say".
wingfire
you're right and I suspect that nothing will change, the synergy of the exchange of that much money takes on a life of its own.
wingfire
this outlook would mean more to me if the stated goal was act upon this spirit everyday not just special ones.
and it might help those lost souls like me if everyone got together and wrote a rule that only the introverted were allowed to get the "Christmas spirit".
... though the winter days to come seem dark & cold, remember that from here on it all just keeps getting brighter ...
Love Ya
thank you for the soltice wishes, peoples from around the world have found the advantages of using the lunar calender. I have found through personal experience, that if one wishes to use all of the energies available that sycronizing my energy with the cycles of Mother Earth and Grandmother leads to an interesting and useful perspective.
wingfire
thank you for the wishes. I hope you experienced what ever you sought.
wingfire
Love Ya
LOVE YA YUNA
Love Ya Misty
I know of an elderly Mom who gave her son a small pocket=sized notebook because she knew he used them to make quick lists of things he wanted to remember to do for others.
Come to find out, he was deeply moved by her gift.
It bothers me that people need an outside influence, such as the birth of the "Christ Child", to do the kind and generous thing.
I agree that despite what seems to be our best attempts that a spirit that represents the best of most of us does appear. I just do not see a correlation between the two.
wingfire