A seasonal rant:
Oh yeah, it's that time of year again. And probably next week, if it hasn't started already, just as sure as the prevalence of wildly ostentatious outdoor light displays and inflatable Santas and snowmen, one will start hearing the phrase "So..."(and I know what's coming next)..."you ready for Christmas?"
WHY do we have to be subjected to this lame, bizarre, totally unnecessary and cliche phrase every year about this time? Because, instead of having a real conversation, this is all that lazy/busy/apathetic/stressed people can come up with this time of year, sort of like discussing the weather or asking someone "How are you?" when one doesn't really want to know the answer. I literally have to struggle to be polite whenever I hear that phrase for the umpteenth time in a day or week. I paste the smile on my face, will myself to not roll my eyes and usually respond "Well, whether I'm ready or not, it's coming anyway, right? Hahahahahaha!!" Sheesh.
And for God's sake people, don't be afraid to say "Merry Christmas"! Ben Stein (who I don't always agree with) spoke eloquently on this subject in one of his commentaries on CBS Sunday Morning during the holiday season in 2005. Mr. Stein, who is Jewish, was commenting on a shining example of political correctness gone mad and the resultant and equally ridiculous backlash regarding all the "Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas" hubbub. In essence, he said "It doesn't offend me when someone wishes me Merry Christmas even though I'm Jewish, and it doesn't offend me if someone wants to put a creche (manger scene) on their lawn." I recommend y'all read the entire commentary here: http://www.benstein.com/121805xmas.html It is excellent food for thought.
Other things about this season that seriously bring out the Scrooge in me:
Women in garish Christmas sweaters, sweatshirts and jewelry. Maybe they're trying to look like walking Christmas trees?
Wal-Mart dragging out the Christmas decorations before Halloween is even over, and hearing Christmas music over the loudspeakers before Thanksgiving. Don't misunderstand me, I love Christmas music. But I like to hear it in December, not October or November. By the time Christmas finally does roll around, one is just sick of it all and wants it over with.
All this do-gooder stuff - you know, the collecting of toys/food/clothes/money for the poor and needy. Hmm. Where are these people, and the people who give to these causes, the rest of the year? Are the poor and needy only poor and needy in December?
And finally, when did it become fashionable for people to try to light up the entire town with their lawn displays?? Simple and elegant Christmas decorations - a Christmas tree, a single wreath on the door, maybe candles in the windows - just like waiting until after Thanksgiving to begin the Christmas holiday, have fallen by the wayside in favor of 'let's see how many lights/lawn ornaments/reindeer/inflatable Santas/manger scenes we can cover every outdoor square inch with'. Going way overboard with outdoor decorating is even encouraged in the "Look At Those Lights!" contests on local television stations. And what's the reward for the "winners"? Money, of course.
Having grown up in a simpler time, I remember when Christmas decorations went up, people shopped for gifts, Christmas music was played - after Thanksgiving. All this is just a way of venting my personal disgust with what I see has happened: Christmas, and the entire holiday season, has evolved from a quietly joyous, reverent time of year for celebration, spending time with family and friends and giving from our hearts, to an orgy of gaudy consumerism and ostentatiousness lasting almost 10 weeks, and a final, mad 4-week push - a whirlwind of pageants, plays, gluttony,......... I'vegottogetthoseChristmascardsoutandtheannualnewsletter andthosegiftswrappedandthehousedecoratedandtheoffice decoratedandthereceptionatchurchorganizedandsetupand bakingtobedoneandohmyGoddon'tforgettogetstockingstuffers….
AAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!!!
Bah humbug. Is it January 1 yet??
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