A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library. ~Shelby Foote

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Bah! Humbug!

I was going to write a scathing, "You guys suck!" post in response to the total lack of response I got from my post last Wednesday. Then Mama H had to go and leave me a thoughtful and useful suggestion. Grumble, grumble. Well, the rest of you guys suck. Mutter, grumble.

Alright, alright. Please weigh in on my deathless prose if you wouldn't rather be eaten alive by ancient Egyptian scarab beetles.

In other news. Christmas seems to be making a comeback. Likely because of the frothing tirades unleashed by Rush and Hannity and the like over the last few Christmas seasons. And I will admit it always bugged me a little that Christmas trees were suddenly becoming Holiday trees, and Christmas parties becoming Holiday parties, but the "War on Christmas" concept was so dreadfully overblown it was laughable.

Of more concern to me is the increasing and neverending commercialism of Christmas. Certainly the joy and fun my children have with presents and Santa and flying reindeer and the whole ball of wax is a blessing, and I don't mind exchanging gifts with friends and loved ones. It's a nice thought at a joyous time of year, and why not? But stores had Christmas decorations on the shelves before Halloween!

Are you kidding me? Radio stations started playing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving. Non-stop! 24/7. Including that dreadful song about cancer and shoes. Could that possibly be any more maudlin and depressing?

So, I got me a "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign, and I talk with my kids about the real meaning of Christ's birth. And I watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, the purest, sweetest, most beautiful Christmas show ever made. Linus' speech really does capture the true meaning of Christmas:

Charlie Brown: [shouting in desperation] Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'".

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Indeed.

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Comments:
Dude, I can't keep it straight.

Up until A few years ago, the cultural scolds (as yourightly note) were on the constant warpath about the over-commercialization of Christmas, constantly admonishing us to 'keep Christmas in your hearts'.

And now, the problem is apparently that there isn't enough Christmas in the commercial sphere?

It makes my head hurt. Can you guys keep your culture warriors in a line? Thanks so much.

Oh, and Happy Holidays dude!

;)
 
Love it, TC.

Go look at my post about the holidays in "Full of Light" for another perspective...
 
tc, keeping it straight is your problem-- I don't even listen to most of the "cultural scolds". Too tedious and repetitive. I've been consistent throughout-- the problem lies in your tendency to attribute attitudes to me simply because my overall worldview is conservative.

Frankly, whether a tree is a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree seems rather silly on any level. Really hard to wrap my head around it as some sort of coordinated cultural "war." Though I do think people go out of their way sometimes to not cause offense over something that wasn't causing any offense in the first place.

But I do find it sad and a little disturbing that the whole spirit of Christmas-- not just the religious aspect, though that's sad as well-- is getting thoroughly subsumed in the commercialism of the season.
 
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