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Alright. Sit down kiddies, it's story time.
I'm at work at the moment. For those who aren't aware of what I do, I again am in charge of building coverage - I set up the rooms at the senior center here for various events and, in this case, party rentals. There is a group in here setting up for, as I've been told, a church's Christmas party. They happen to be playing things like Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, and those whatnot. That got me comparing this group to the group in here last Sunday - a group that, while under the same pretext - a church group celebrating Christmas - was playing songs like Jingle Bells and that one stupid Chipmunks song where they sing about planes and hula-hoops. And with that comparison, I got thinking.
People think that one holiday lands on December 25th. Those people are the same ones who think pro wrestling is real, I figure. You see, there is NOT 'one' Christmas. There is a reason for that:
Religion and capitalism do not mix.
You will see examples of this everywhere you look - even in American government. Think of it this way - our budget's the lowest it's been in...well, ever. If the 'speaking to God' and 'holy orders' that the Commander in Chief GW ranted about on the campaign trail were sincere (which I won't argue for better or worse about), then the reasons are obvious. People cannot balance God and Benjamins with the same hand. Even the Jewish stereotype has to, well, use both hands. But I'm digressing, and quite badly, at that.
The point I am making, I suppose, is that you cannot speak of Jesus and Santa in the same breath without expecting to have the stupid slapped right out of you by me. Likewise, please, do not hang the ball ornaments on the nativity. It's tactless and dumb. There are two Christmas holidays, and both fall on December 25th. One is about the birth of a religion's most influential and important figure, the other is about a fat man in red velour who tosses around Barbies, Tickle Me Elmos, and low, low prices every day. One is about peace on Earth and good will toward men, the other is about shopping and bonding further with your family, whereupon you have candied yams and carve the roast beast.
Make up your mind as to which Christmas you wish to celebrate - a holy day whereupon you worship Christ's birth and show love to your neighbor, or a holiday where you buy one another gifts and show love to those you already love. I don't care which you pick, or even if you decide to celebrate both; what I wish is for people to know the difference.
And I suppose that's what this rant is all about. Difference. Don't put God in your wallet; if you put him anywhere, put him in your heart and keep your wallet grounded in non-faith driven reality where it belongs. On the same token... feel free to celebrate Christmas (if you wish) if you aren't a Christian. Don't be offended by the holiday; Santa Claus and yon tannenbaum are hardly symbols of religion, and people always need more excuses to give gifts to one another. That's all the commercial Christmas is - an excuse to buy gifts for each other.
I'm at work at the moment. For those who aren't aware of what I do, I again am in charge of building coverage - I set up the rooms at the senior center here for various events and, in this case, party rentals. There is a group in here setting up for, as I've been told, a church's Christmas party. They happen to be playing things like Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, and those whatnot. That got me comparing this group to the group in here last Sunday - a group that, while under the same pretext - a church group celebrating Christmas - was playing songs like Jingle Bells and that one stupid Chipmunks song where they sing about planes and hula-hoops. And with that comparison, I got thinking.
People think that one holiday lands on December 25th. Those people are the same ones who think pro wrestling is real, I figure. You see, there is NOT 'one' Christmas. There is a reason for that:
Religion and capitalism do not mix.
You will see examples of this everywhere you look - even in American government. Think of it this way - our budget's the lowest it's been in...well, ever. If the 'speaking to God' and 'holy orders' that the Commander in Chief GW ranted about on the campaign trail were sincere (which I won't argue for better or worse about), then the reasons are obvious. People cannot balance God and Benjamins with the same hand. Even the Jewish stereotype has to, well, use both hands. But I'm digressing, and quite badly, at that.
The point I am making, I suppose, is that you cannot speak of Jesus and Santa in the same breath without expecting to have the stupid slapped right out of you by me. Likewise, please, do not hang the ball ornaments on the nativity. It's tactless and dumb. There are two Christmas holidays, and both fall on December 25th. One is about the birth of a religion's most influential and important figure, the other is about a fat man in red velour who tosses around Barbies, Tickle Me Elmos, and low, low prices every day. One is about peace on Earth and good will toward men, the other is about shopping and bonding further with your family, whereupon you have candied yams and carve the roast beast.
Make up your mind as to which Christmas you wish to celebrate - a holy day whereupon you worship Christ's birth and show love to your neighbor, or a holiday where you buy one another gifts and show love to those you already love. I don't care which you pick, or even if you decide to celebrate both; what I wish is for people to know the difference.
And I suppose that's what this rant is all about. Difference. Don't put God in your wallet; if you put him anywhere, put him in your heart and keep your wallet grounded in non-faith driven reality where it belongs. On the same token... feel free to celebrate Christmas (if you wish) if you aren't a Christian. Don't be offended by the holiday; Santa Claus and yon tannenbaum are hardly symbols of religion, and people always need more excuses to give gifts to one another. That's all the commercial Christmas is - an excuse to buy gifts for each other.
