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Well the Halloween masks, pumpkins and sticky buns are just off the shelves, and they've been immediately replaced by 27 stone turkey's bloated by their battery breeding, cheap plonk from countries that would be better producing vinegar, and a range of toys that are either broken before they come out of the box, or needed the mirror of their value in batteries to make the damned things work. The chilblains build themselves into such a frenzy, that by the time the big day comes, even a personal appearance by the fat beardy guy would fail to halt the inevitable anticlimax. Millions of adult families enter the event with trepidation, knowing that they'll spend the rest of the year paying back the money borrowed on their credit cards, after paying extortionate prices for goods they can get at half the price if they wait about a week. I thought Christmas was supposed to be fun!!
Santa comes but once a year, and always empties his sacks!
But wait, isn't there more to it than that?? Maybe!! Contrary to the 21st century belief that the festive period is nothing more than a time for binge drinking, binge eating, knocking up the secretary at the office party, and a combination of the three in any order, at any given time (although it can be quite difficult to juggle a turkey drumstick and a can of lager, while in the office stationary cupboard with Agnes Ramsbottom, the bosses P.A.), there would appear to alot more to this festival than meets the eye.
In order to establish the meaning of Christmas, we first have to outline the things that are not in line with how it should be celebrated. Firstly, (and I feel most importantly) let's forget the mass advertising which blatently warps the childrens minds, encouraging them to pressurise their already debt ridden parents into buying them the latest trendy toy, which without doubt will be old hat by Jan 1st. Both the media and those global businesses concerned with profitablity and not people, portray the kind of business accumen during this time, that Ebenezzer Scrooge himself would be proud of. Both these industries have multi-billion pound yearly turnovers, and should be ashamed of the fact that they fail, for at least one week prior to christmas day, they cannot show the true spirit of christmas and drop their unethical advertisement campaigns and high prices (especially those of toys and books), to allow some relief for the struggling families, who try to treat their children for one day of the year. Not that getting presents should be the be all and end all of the day, but a sense of giving should be instilled in the young, in order to open their eyes to what it should all be about.
A range of tat that is busted before the day is out.
Next we have to forget about the compulsory piss-up, which can leave many too drunk to remember anything, or in Hospital spoiling someone elses Christmas. As a result of drink driving, many a poor soul has lost their life on Christams day, or in the days prior to, and afterwards. Others end up with stab wounds or other such life threatening injuries, being fed reconstituted turkey and stuffing through a drip, with their families by their bedsides chewing on mars bars, and drinking vending machine coffee, while putting on a brave face and opening presents with their grandchildren, who don't realise that day might be the last they see their parent alive. Meanwhile in the next ward the young children, and others with critical illnesses brave the future, knowing that they may not see the next Christmas day. Ahh, wait!! Do we have something here??
Here is the spirit I've been looking for. How is it that someone who is critically ill, and trapped inside one of the underfunded NHS institutions facing a bleak future, can enjoy the day more than everyone else?? It's not that they can go out with their friends and paint the town red, nor can it be said that they will enjoy the use of the gifts their family has brought them, it's something else. Something intangible that no amount of money can buy. Hope.
Even if you are not a Christian, you cannot fail to understand what it feels to know that someone out their loves you, and that maybe in the next year things will go your way. Nor can you avoid the sense of faith in humanity, or at least the hope that humanity will finally learn, and right the continual wrongs it carries out. A day for understanding, dignity, forgiveness, and hope should never be tainted by concerns over the material, but should encourage personal development and galvanisation for the days ahead. While it is impossible to consider the pain and suffering that our forefathers underwent, we can all identify with our own pain, so what about thinking about someone elses for one day.
Demanding kids???
I'm not a Christian, although I had a Christian upbringing. There are two things that I remember about Christmas from my childhood. The gathering of my family (as many as 15 at a time around the table), which showed the love and to a degree toleration which the day brings about. But funnily, it's not that which I remember most. It's something that my Grandmother drummed into me from when I was very small. 'Christmas is a time for giving'. 6 simple, but very powerful words. It just depends on what it is you want to give. There is far more to life that the material which we all crave, and maybe, just maybe, the best gift you can get this Christmas is the gift of making someone else happy, no matter how big the gesture, or for how long it lasts.
This is my gift to you!!
Enjoy the festive period. Love to you all!!
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