Christmas Cluster

12/14 I usually only update this section about once a month, but there has been something bugging me that I really want to throw out there. Christmas. Once upon a time, it was a beautiful holiday. People felt love and joy all over the world. There was a feeling of closeness for fellow men, and more importantly, for God. But modern society has corrupted Christmas, so now nothing but the spirit remains... and even that is fading. I realized this when I went out to the local grocery story on Oct 26th and saw them putting up Christmas decorations. That was before Halloween people. That is just wrong. Christmas has been turned into a commercial feeding frenzy. Some people may argue that it's for the better, seeing as Christmas and the Christmas tree were derived from pagan rituals (the winter solstice celebration). But that is backwards logic. Someone who believes in the crusifix cannot believe Christmas is bad for that reason without being a hypocrite. The crusifix was originally a method of execution, used on criminals and at the time Christians as well (for they were concidered criminals). What the crusifix stands for now, is a reminder of the good that came from it. It reminds us that God gave his only son for us. We celebrate His death, so why not celebrate His birthday as well, afterall in our society celebrating someones birthday is a display of love and respect. Even if it is during the wrong time of the year, so what? It's too late to change that now. So lets do with Christmas as we do with the crusifix. Concentrate on the good in it, and keep the spirit of it alive.

Nevertheless, capitalism has corrupted the ceremony part of the celebration. I don't mind the spirit of giving, but I mind the adds being shoved down my throat before Thanksgiving (late November in the US). The corporations are trying to cash in as early as possible, instead of giving thanx to the God who allowed them to get where they are! They are willing to suck every penny from someone who is poor, but trying to make a nice Christmas for their children, and in the same breath say "Merry Christmas". Tom Lehrer has a wonderful tune that exemplifies what I am talking about to a tee. I will have the lyrics up in the Misc. section within the next few days. Until then, people, I say to you: Merry Christmas... may you keep the spirit alive in your mind and heart.