my problem with christmas

i love Christmas...i really do, but ONLY because it's a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and a time when we should focus on giving to those in need and expressing our love for others (which of course you can do all these things any other time of year as well). but you can keep the presents and the shopping and the hooplah. of course we should celebrate Jesus all the time, not just on Christmas, but this season is that special time dedicated to that. well, it's supposed to be.

but people have twisted it into this commercial, mall-hopping, 'what should i get him/her/them?' kinda holiday, and that sickens me. gift giving should be out of pure generosity, not necessity, not tradition, not because someone got you something so you have to get them something now. and i find it funny that people will be rude to you 364 other days of the year, but will get you a christmas gift...what is that all about?? i'd much rather you treat me lovingly and with respect all the time and keep your bath beads or socks or whatever other meaningless gift you got me. or people will get someone a gift simply because they feel they have to or the person will be angry with them, but they don't really want to. that's not what gift-giving is about.

it's crazy to see people scrambling around, stressing out, trying figure out what to get their friends and siblings and cousins and people they don't even talk to any other time of year. christmas gift-giving has lost all meaning. people rack up credit card bills and spend hundreds of dollars spoiling their kids with all the latest fads and toys and clothes...what does that have to do with christmas?? and most kids don't appreciate all of that anyway. yes, my parents did that for us when we were kids, to a certain extent, but thankfully they have since realized and taught us and their grandchildren that's not what christmas is about.

there are people who don't even pray to Jesus, think about Jesus, have never been to church, don't care anything about religion, but still 'celebrate christmas.' again, what's that all about?? the word "Christmas" has "Christ" in it...so if Christ means nothing to you, exactly what are you celebrating? a christmas tree, lights, mall sales, and buying and receiving gifts is not what this season is about. i just wish people would realize that.

so i've taken my own personal stand and decided that no more am i buying christmas gifts for people. everyone in my life already has more than they need. do we really need any more clothes and shoes and cds and other material things? so i've decided to either donate money or food to people who really ARE in need or buy toys for children whose parents can't afford them, not a bunch of spoiled kids who have more toys than they know what to do with and will either break or lose interest in them in a week. i will buy food to take to churches or organizations that help the homeless. and instead of buying material things, i will do nice things for my family and friends, whatever they'd like, just nothing material. Christmas should be about serving others in need, not spending money on people who already have way too much. i'm not trying to preach or be judgemental, everyone has a right to make their own choices. i just hope that one day people will find it in their hearts to celebrate christmas for what it really means.

but that's just my opinion... :-)