Christmas? No thanks!

[Tony Walker]

Now that we've survived Thanksgiving, it looks as if this country is once more gearing up for Christmas. Once again, oldies radio stations will be belting out 'All Christmas' songs, while the stores will be filled with crap that you, the poor suckers, will be expected to buy to give to friends and relations, and in turn, receive the same crap from them.

Me? Hell no! As I once said to a proselytizing Christian, why should I be expected to celebrate the "birthday" of the illegitimate son of a Jewish carpenter? As I've said in a previous post, the whole 'Christmas' scam was thought up by early Christians to replace the time-honored Midwinter Solstice festival, where the 'pagans' would celebrate the ending of winter.

Incidentally, there's more evidence for the existence of James Bond than there is of Jesus Christ (was his middle initial REALLY 'H'?), and if you don't believe me, check it out.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of Christmas; the season of goodwill, Scrooge, and the whole Jimmy Stewart bit, but in practice I loathe it. I'll be eating my usual Christmas dinner of Patagonian turkey (Blutwurst with a sprig of holly stuck in it), followed by that noble English dessert, Spotted Dick.

Anyway, I'm making plans for kicking away Tiny Tim's crutch on Christmas Eve, or should I just kick him IN the crutch? Must go - things to do, orphanages to burn down, and there are so many priests, pastors, and other reverend gents to be put to the sword.

I'll leave you with these uplifting lines:

'Twas Christmas Day in the workhouse,
There was holly all round the walls.
"Merry Christmas to all" said the master,
And the inmates all answered, "Balls!"

[Nicole de Loncre]

Christmas has become a variety of ideas, traditions and yes, unfortunately, commercialism. And, yes, I am a Christian and believe in celebrating Christ's birthday. However, the true meaning of Christmas is that it is the season of GIVING. We give of ourselves to others. It doesn't matter if you go buy the most expensive thing in the store, it is the fact that you actually think of someone and give something of yourself to them. My favorite thing to do at Christmas is to adopt an Angel off the Angel Tree and make a child less fortunate smile. Just knowing I could make them happy makes me feel elated. Spending time with your family is very important. Even if it's helping to trim the tree, or even just washing the dinner dishes. Just remember to give to someone this holiday season and I'm sure the satisfaction of making someone smile will cheer you up as well.

~ Nicole ~

[Jim Lindsey]

I'm sorry that Tony is so spiritually blind. Thank God it is him and not me. Here is a little piece I penned many years ago, before God answered my prayers, and gave me "the love of my life."

Today is the day, that many of us know to be, the day Our Father began the Earthly quest, to cover us with His Grace. I needed to make this clear, due to the light hearted nature, of my poem.

EX-MAS

T'was the night before Christmas and God what a pity,
Broken families were scattered, all over the city.
My Ex was snuggled, with her new found friend,
As the kids played, in a strange man's den.

They soon would be nestled in his extra bed
While memories of Christmas past, tortured my head.

Me, with my loneliness, my dog in my lap,
Drank a bottle of wine, which led to a nap.
When out on the lawn, there was quite a clatter.
Staggering to the window, I checked out the matter.

These eyes beheld a surprise, I must admit;
My wife and kids, in his brand new Corvette.

She pleaded with me and had love in her eyes.
"Honey, We're home," she said, "for a few more tries."
My joy soon ended, as my head began to clear.
His sports car was towed, by eight tiny reindeer.

My stupor was followed by a sickening pause,
As the little voice woke me, by shouting,
"Fool, don't you know, by now,
There ain't no Santa Claus ?"

Jim Lindsey

[Rianna]

I love the poem Jim! Sadly, a true story for many, but still quite a funny little parody. Thank you for sharing.

[James Waters AKA. NineSpeed]

It is sad when a beautiful tradition is destroyed by commercialism and the politically correct. I agree with everything you said Nicole. very well spoken.

Great poem Jim. sad but true.

[Mary]

Jim; so glad you have received the "Love of Your Live". Was a hard road you had to travel to get to that place I'm sure. Your poem is brilliant; Thank you for posting it here for all to see. Dreams are incredible inspiration for writing.

[Mary]

Wanted to wait til after I celebrated the birth of my Savior before I commented in this forum. Tony; no one has asked you to participate in the Joyful celebration of Christmas. Do as you wish. Just don't put down those that look upon Christmas as one of the Most Holy of days. I know and do not care how Christmas originated in the eyes of man. I celebrate for one reason only; as stated above. As for the presents; our family actually said; "No" presents this year. Many of us have been hit deeply by the Recession. Dinner was supposed to be at 5; we ate at 7 due to the many presents we had to open. Our family had a very enjoyable; God inspired day. I rewrote the verses to "How Great Thou Art" for my Dad. Never rewrote verses before; I was thinking maybe I'll just do two. It was very hard and frustrating for me; had to throw down my writing and go do something else. Then sat down again when inspiration hit me with a few words. After about 4 times of this; my last sitting finished it. Come to think of it; I had no cross-off words. Ended up writing all four verses with my Father's favorite things; trains, cars, mechanics, camping, nature, reading, etc. This is what Christmas is like... Picture of the oldest and youngest grandchildren, laughs and poking fun, smart-ass comments, great food and better... the Love of family.

[Jon Lopes]

Isn't there some debate that Jesus was acually born in october and not on december 25th?

[Tony Walker]

Jim Lindsey said; "I'm sorry that Tony is so spiritually blind."

Au contraire, mon ami, as the French would say. My spirit is alive and well, and seeing things with 20/20 vision. My spirit can be raised by a sunset over the Grand Canyon, or inside St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It can be raised by reading a book, or by looking at a painting by Canaletto. It can be raised by a classic movie, like 'Casablanca', or simply by having my cat, Jinks, giving me an adoring look after I've fed her.

It doesn't need the 'invisible guy in the sky', that "refuge for weak minds" (I don't know who said that, I'm afraid), but in all other aspects, my spirit is just fine.

Have yourselves a happy and productive New Year.

[Mary]

As I will say again Tony --- I am of NO weak mind. I was of weak mind when I did not follow in the footsteps of my early teachings. I am STRONG in my religion and you have no inclination of what people in "Religion" 's mindset is. There are many "strong" minded people within many different religious sects. I am strong because of my religious beliefs. I am "strong" because I lay down my ideals for the better of man in the Words of My Father. Will stop here...could go on...won't waste my breath...

Tony Walker said:

Jim Lindsey said; "I'm sorry that Tony is so spiritually blind."

Au contraire, mon ami, as the French would say. My spirit is alive and well, and seeing things with 20/20 vision. My spirit can be raised by a sunset over the Grand Canyon, or inside St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It can be raised by reading a book, or by looking at a painting by Canaletto. It can be raised by a classic movie, like 'Casablanca', or simply by having my cat, Jinks, giving me an adoring look after I've fed her.

It doesn't need the 'invisible guy in the sky', that "refuge for weak minds" (I don't know who said that, I'm afraid), but in all other aspects, my spirit is just fine.

Have yourselves a happy and productive New Year.

[Jon Lopes]

Ok guess what. In debating religion. NO ONE will ever be right. Believe what you believe. Also, to believe in something greater than yourself is not weak mindedness. Weak mindedness is the refusal to believe in anything that you cannot see, touch, smell, taste or hear. If you limit your beliefs to those 5, that is a weak mind because you do not trust yourself.

[Blindogg]

It is nice to see that the brief holiday hiatus didn't dampen Tony's ability to start a fire...(and throw in a little brimstone as well)

As for the whole religious debate - Jon is absolutely right when he says that there is no right answer...just as there is no wrong answer.

However - as an agnostic I take exception to the statement;

"Weak mindedness is the refusal to believe in anything that you cannot see, touch, smell, taste or hear."

I truly believe that there is a "higher force" somewhere out there. I also believe that it is so vast that my stunted mental capacities can't even begin to comprehend it. I don't agree with the biblical explanation of it though - because it has not offered any proof that satisfies me. Not to mention the fact that it is loaded with "loopholes" that offer easy escapes for the so-called experts when it is questioned.

So therefore - I will go on believing the way I do. When Jesus shows up at the 7-11 then maybe I'll believe in him.

I don't think that makes me weak minded. In fact I think that to believe in something without satisfactory proof is indeed the biggest sign of weak-mindedness.

Blind faith is nothing to be proud of - in my opinion.

[Jon Lopes]

Blind, you said yourself you believe in a higher force. it does not have to be biblical. also, satisfactory proof is an extremely relative term. what is to one may not be to the other. A weak mind is a mind that cannot see both the reasons why and why not. A mind incapable of neutral, non-bias objectivity.