I can't believe that it's only three more days until Christmas!! I'm trying to stay within the spirit; to not only count my blessings, but to also really be appreciative of them. To forgive everyone who has wronged me, even people who I don't speak to (because of distance or because or circles just don't intersect anywhere), not just by my words, but truly, in my heart.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.
There had been rumblings among the unconverted that they might want to get a live tree that is slightly bigger, well a few feet bigger, than my little kitchen tree. Until they saw the price, added the stand (that would be used this year only) and realized it was the same price as the prime rib we're having for Christmas Dinner.
Which is a Christmas surprise. But I'm not nervous to write it here, because the people who will be surprised don't read my blog anyway. Hehehe!!!!
I have to admit, some of my Holiday Spirit has been abraded by the commercials that the major retailers have put on the television airwaves these last few weeks. One is Target and their catchy little song as a couple pop through their house hiding gifts inside of stew pots, under Frosty's hat etc. Then they ruin the whole thing with:
I don't mean to be mean
I don't mean to be vicious
But you're never gonna find my Christmas!
Really?? No, I mean, really?
Not to be outdone is crassness, WalMart's catchy little Jingle is "Less money, More Christmas!"
So somebody, please tell me when Christ's Mass became synonymous with gifts or presents?
And no, this is not me being bah! humbug -ish! Nothing could be further from the truth. I love Christmas. I love the celebration and traditions of Christmas.
However, someone needs to tell the retailers of the United States of America, that going into debt or even spending copious amounts of money is not the spirit or tradition of Christmas.
Neither is having family feuds or sniping at what is supposed to be a festive and joyful meal. I couldn't believe it when I read in a newspaper article that people dread going home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What is really annoying me, is even though I've denounced the spend! spend! spend! of Christmas, I every so often mentally go through my Christmas list and the thoughtful gifts that I bought and wonder, Gosh, is this enough? Should I have eschewed thoughtful and non-extravagant gifts for the big "Christmas maker gifts?"
Then when I come back to sanity, I want to kick myself for my doubts. For my momentary desertion to the other side!
After all, who's birthday is it anyway?
I can't wait for Christmas to get here and I'm not proud of some of my reasoning because part of the reason is that I can't wait for my vacillating between buy and buy-more to be over. I don't want any more "buy" Christmases, no matter if the economy recovers, or even if the economy becomes super - heated again.
Hopefully, next Christmas will be easier.
2 comments:
Have a blessed Christmas! I try to block all that secular Christmas stuff out, and I know what you mean about the commercials.
We get caught up as children only thinking of gifts. After this kinda dies down, we get married, have children, and start over again. The emphasis in on gifts.
Having said that, there are people who put Christ in Christmas, but they aren't the big retailers. They cater to those that want to spend.
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