Bah Humbug!

In my adult years, I had begun to hate Christmas; that is, the idea of what Christmas had become: the commercial part of it and the way that people sometimes act during this holiday. For example, it has been very dangerous to drive this weekend, more so than usual in LA and more so than on most holidays, even the long Thanksgiving weekend.

When I went out yesterday morning, there were two abandoned, smashed-up cars on the street three blocks over. This morning, as I made my way to church, I noticed at least three intersections that still were littered with the evidence of serious car accidents: large pieces of metal, fiberglass and tiny bits of glass. For all too many, the celebration of the birth of Christ has reverted to the pagan bacchanalia which it was intended to replace all those centuries ago. This day isn’t supposed to be about endangering the lives of others via wanton drunkenness while operating large and deadly pieces of machinery, but that’s what it has become.

But the funny thing about the recent controversies involving the use of the phrase “Merry Christmas” and the singing/playing of religious Christmas carols in government, educational and corporate life is that they have served to remind those of us who accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah of what this day should mean to us. Yes, most bible scholars agree that the historical Jesus of Nazareth probably was not born on December 25th, but that’s a trivial matter. (Personally, I find Easter far more meaningful than Christmas, because it is the day celebrating the most crucial point of why Christ was born, but that’s my preference.) What shouldn’t be a trivial matter for Christians is the ‘Christ’ part of Christmas, should they choose to honor this day.

Oh, I’m not bashing the giving of gifts or even the partying. I simply think that one’s priorities should be taken into account.

If your priority is to celebrate the birth of the Savior of Mankind, then put that first. However, if it is to merely take advantage of the holiday for your own selfish purposes, then don’t act as if you really believe in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ.

For this attitude, I am considered a type of Ebenezer Scrooge. It’s probably an accurate assessment: I’m most relieved on each January 2nd to have the season over with and have myself and all of my loved ones still intact. Let it be so for me and for you at the end of this “Christmas/Holiday Season” and all of those that come after.

Comments

[liz]

As a family, we really downsized the gifty part this year, and focused on the spiritual part, and the fundamental message: we give each other gifts because of the great idea of giving that birth, so long ago, represents.

Only about half of my friends and family could be described as Christian. One of my non-Christian friends has said, "Even for me, this day represents a great pause, and a door opening, and a recommitment to the hope for peace."

So peace be with you, today and always.

[Skinner]

Im pissed cause I didnt get any frakencense or myr

[Skinner]

Im taking every person who comments on this blog OFF MY SHOPPING list and asking for you to return my gifts immeditely!!!!!

[Violence Worker]

A word of advice to Mr. or Ms. Skinner:

You get what you ask for. No offense but if you wrote that in a letter to Santa, no doubt he's still scratching his head wondering what you wanted.

If it was frankincense and myrrh, then you should have said so. Frankincense can be had for about $2.50 to $3.00 an ounce. An ounce of Myrrh will set you back about $1.50 to $2.00

So next time, make sure you are specific. The stuff just ain't for kings anymore.

VW

[Ben-David]

OK, but... part of the educational process means starting where the kids are, and working from there. That sometimes means leading with material treats and then drawing the child (through emotional bonds of family) to other aspects of the holiday.

Catholic neighbors of ours got this very right by combining morning "under the tree" (limited to one big gift for each kid) with church attendance, followed by charity work. Only then did they come home to an early Christmas supper (which was popular with relatives and friends). The kids did not complain and all activities were done as a family.

In Judaism we do this all the time - from the Passover meal to the booth we sit in at the feast of Tabernacles, to the lamps of Hanukkah - there are treats and physically accessible rituals, and as kids grow they are introduced to other, deeper themes.

[Dana]

Dennis at the Tattered Cloth posting this piece:

http://www.gopraise.net/blog/tatteredcloth/2005/12/right-to-be-merry.html

(Sorry about the cut and paste).

I have voiced my opinion, there.

[DarkStar]

But the funny thing about the recent controversies involving the use of the phrase “Merry Christmas” and the singing/playing of religious Christmas carols in government, educational and corporate life is that they have served to remind those of us who accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah of what this day should mean to us.

I disagree. In fact, I think it is nothing but a cynical ploy.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Mescalero]

For what it's worth, Christmas is a time for reflection on what has past and what is coming.

I pity those who think Christmas is nothing more than a time to party and drink more alchoholic stuff than they should. Even worse for liberals to pontificate on a event they don't understand and don't care to figure out what has happened in the Holy Land since Yasser "Stalino-Hitler" Arafat made his debut.

For us "Western" Christians we should remember that the Coptic Christians and the Greek/Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at a different time of the year. We all know, or should know, that there was a calendar change from the the Julian to the Gregorian, and different Christian sects chose to accept or not accept the new calendar. So be it, they are still our Christian brothers and sisters!

Merry Christmas to you all!

[Skinner]

I dont think anyone really has the final say on when jesus was born more importantly americans acknowledge the fact that,11.25. probably wasnt the day of HIS birth but thats NOT the point. the point is Santa claus Is a swell fella and christmas carolls sound good ; except for the sickening Pa Rum Pa rum pum one
that satan wrote so go buy stuff and celebrate OUR SAVIOUR
Then return it and cuss out false advertising Leave HIM out of it.

[Skinner]

Im american and I thought December was month 11 hey
I was only 1 off out of 12
and Im old I keep dating my checks 1900 05 Go figure

[Skinner]

" I Am an... IDI..OT pah rum pa rum pum . I need a Dunce cap .
rum pum pa rum One with black glasses, Rum pa rum, rubber nose
and attached eyebrows, pa rum pa rum pum, with a bushy MOUSTACHE
RUM PA RUM PUM Rum pa rum pum
Im looking quite handsome, rum pa pum . I could be SADAM Rum pa rum pum Rum pa rum pum I need a snickers bar rum pa rum pum Maybe Im hitler, Stalin,or Beezle- baum Rum pa rum pum rum pa rum pum

[Arnold]

Im american and I thought December was month 11

You must be a C programmer.

[Cobb]

I'm with that on Easter. Make that the serious celebration and leave the rest to the plebes.

[beautifulatrocities]

Interestingly, this is what has happened to Ramadan in Saudi Arabia & elsewhere: a time of pious self-denial & reflection is instead a month-long orgy of gorging & partying all nite, & yes, traffic accidents skyrocket during Ramadan, because people have been up all nite living it up.

[Laura(southernxyl)]

Human nature asserts itself, no matter what.

[mlah]

i've taken it easy over the holidays so far. just new years left.

but yeah, i agree with you on the car accidents. stupid.

[StinKerr]

My personal favorite parts of Christmas were the candlelight service on Christmas eve and shopping the Fisher-Price aisle in the hopes of pleasing a small child.

The kids are all grown now and I fear that if I entered a church the walls would collapse. Ah well, maybe next year.

[Max L]

Baldilox-

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas with real blessings and love, the stuff that really matters. I like Christmas time, but I am also relieved when it is all over. It's the most wild and wonderfull time of the year.

I get a lot of hits from your site for some reason. Happy New Year to you, deary.

Max L

[baldilocks]

Hey Darkstar!

I hope your Christmas was merry.

Question: with what are you disagreeing?

[baldilocks]

Max L: Thank you much and same to you.

You get hits from my site? Well let's find out why. :-)

[baldilocks]

Oh, you're that 'Nice Jewish Boy' at the top of my Bear Flag League blogroll! Excellent.

Happy Hanukkah! (I see various spellings.)