Child: I don’t know but I want it. I want...
Parent: Well, I don’t think Jesus would want us to celebrate his birth with gifts like that.
No. You don’t hear these conversations. Only evangelical or Mormon parents would have the guts to have a conversation like this with their child in public. We, the many Americans who celebrate, have this kind of conversation.
Child: I want an iPod for Christmas. And I want…
Parent: Oh, you do? Have you been good this year?
Child: Yes.
Parent: You have? Well, what makes you think Santa is going to bring you that gift? (This is code for what makes you think I can afford it in this downward spiraling economy)
And, is this any different from the time in June when Tommy wouldn’t stop crying because you wouldn’t buy him that Lego set? Absolutely not.
I have had this conversation many times as the child. Parents use Santa in an emotionally abusive way claiming he won't come if you don't do this and this and this. And, even if you doubt your parent, you bet your going to do what parents say cause nobody wants to be the one kid Santa doesn't visit on Christmas Day.
When Christmas became a month or longer celebration, I do not know. But, it definitely engulfs you in the most detestable way. And, I wonder about the many people who wish they could confine this holiday to a week of celebration and go to midnight mass and then gather and eat with family on Christmas Day.
Christmas invariably leads to a month that Congress and the rest of government takes off. Nothing is done and as we learn about the torture, the economy and the Wall Street bailout, the environment, the wars in the Middle East, and the rapid erosion of the rule of law, Americans divert their attention to Christmas (or little Caylee and so-called news stories of that nature which have no bearing on Americans’ lives).
When I was standing in line waiting to buy Christmas gifts or sitting in traffic jams waiting to move a quarter of a mile to the next place I needed to go to buy gifts, I thought about how naive, innocent, and untouched these people in line seem. If we are close to a full blown economic depression, you wouldn't know it because these people are still buying their entertainment---the images or virtual reality they want to escape to so they can find some enjoyment in their poor, pitiful lives.
How could anyone celebrate a holiday that they know they do not believe in? Please return to the beginning of the article where I mention how these are two holidays I enjoy because of the gatherings that happen and the time I get to spend with family.
I am lucky to still have four generations on one side of my family to spend time with: my ninety-five year old great grandma and my grandma and grandpa on my mom’s side bring me great joy on Christmas. So, do the rest of my mom’s side and on my father’s side (while that is a bit fractured from divorces), there are those that bring me cheer as well.
Perhaps, we all enjoy the baking. My mother has been making holiday treats for us all to eat since I returned home from college. Cookie dough bites, Mexican wedding cakes, cookies, and more are sitting out on our porch for eating at anytime during this holiday season.
On Christmas Day morning, my family has always had a big breakfast. Later in that evening, my aunt and uncle and cousins would come over and we would open gifts and then play games with each other.
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