by titus james

Created on: December 14, 2006   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

One author, Mealey I believe, wrote an intriguing take on the history of Christmas. I felt quite enlightened to have read it, but I guess you'll still have to label me a Scrooge.

Don't get me wrong, tidings and goodwill and family are all novel acts. I'll go even a step further to say that they are very necessary. However, as yet another author so eloquently stated, around this time of year we suffer with the epidemic of "indentured shoppers" and the "oppressive" obligation of participating in 'oh so many' of the things that we'd rather not. I'd venture to say that this country has moved away from the historical bent behind Christmas and X'd out the "Christ". In addition, we've added an 's' to "mas" and included the word "hysteria".

Look, I'll be frank because that's the only way I know how to be: Christmas is a scam and became one once "Christ" was pulled into the picture. The moment the Catholic Church, based on historic claims, hi-jacked "Christ" in the name of baby Jesus things went shamefully awry. I definitely don't expect to be rated in the top five with this one but I have always believed that where there is Truth, there is freedom...or let's just say the state of being free.

If Christmas initially was about the days in Europe being shorter, growing longer and the need or want to celebrate the Winter Solstice, then fine, let it be about that. But let's not perpetuate a lie in the name of a Being that did so much for the world as an extension of The One (God). The very fact that was done constitutes blasphemy, ask me. By the way, I don't believe anyone can "curse" God if that's what the word is taken to mean in religious circles- I used it moreso to accentuate my point. If offended, please pardon. I've also heard some not-so-good things about the Catholic Church that leads me to believe this was a plan based more on lucre than Love. I don't know completely but I do have eyes to see and ears to hear...well, I digress.

If you believe in coincidence, which I don't, isn't it one that over 75% of the U.S. GNP (or is it GDP, I get the two confused but they're both extremely important to an economy) is accounted for from Thanksgiving to the end of the year? Wow! In little over one month, we nearly make up for the other 11. Talk about fiscal planning! Guilt trips are played on unsuspecting parents, grands, lovers and the like because they may somehow feel lesser than if they dare not comply; after all, it's Jesus' birthday or little Timmy will be crushed if he doesn't get this or what about that over there for Emily? These are cruel games designed to manipulate
benign minds.

Look, I'm not suggesting that we all be heartless misers frowning upon a time of cheer. No, not at all. However, I think we must soon break the cycle of 'The Lie' lest this time of year starts to have some very ill effects currently living beneath the radar. Love is not about material items. If we really wanted to celebrate Jesus - let's just pretend it was his birthday - why not give gifts to the poor, right here in America and abroad? Why not give the gift of shelter to the homeless, year round? Why not chip in and help provide adequate healthcare for our seniors? Why not even pool our monies for those of us who've lost homes to fire or loved ones to senseless violence and other atrocities that need not be? I think if, by chance, it was Jesus' birthday, he'd be plenty pleased with that. Oh well, Merry Xmas!

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