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cantey_1975 - along the same lines, the church services themselves were
all heavily attended.
Moreso than at any other time of year, which says something in itself. As you suggest; it seems to be some type of pennance or a must attend mentality that causes people to make sure they go to church on Christmas. My wife's church was nearly empty during service on the Sunday before Christmas. Her quick count was about 20 people when there are usually a couple of hundred. What kind of collective mentality is that?
posted by
gomedome
on December 28, 2006 at 7:47 AM
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Gome
good thoughts. What is even worse thsn the souless commercialism of Christmas is the souless empty ritual of sitting and nodding in agreement church listening to the preacher speak on the points that you address here; all the while thinking about coordinating there day through various Wal MArts, Targets, Best Buys, etc. As if just physically being in a church building is a penance for this sickness.
posted by
calmcantey75
on December 28, 2006 at 6:36 AM
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Rame - I have to agree on that one point; it is as "they" say:
"Christ is the reason for the season"
It is not something that I would say . . . but this does not suggest that I would not be willing to adopt (to the best of my abilities) all of the qualities personified by Christ in terms of what the holiday season should represent. I have other reasons for the season, as do many other people on this planet.
posted by
gomedome
on December 27, 2006 at 1:53 PM
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Talion - that's the way we're going as well
I received so much useless crap in the way of gifts this year that I found it embarrasing. I don't however expect some of the worst offenders to fall into line immediately, I'll have to do a bit of legwork over the course of the year to get some family members to shake old habits.
posted by
gomedome
on December 27, 2006 at 1:48 PM
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TVBlogger - that's a great way to do it and along the lines of how I am
thinking these days.
The process of change started a few years ago but I think the difference today is that I find the remaining vestiges of a ridiculously commercialized Christmas so much more offensive today than I did back then. It is nice to see that I am not alone in my thinking.
posted by
gomedome
on December 27, 2006 at 1:42 PM
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Gomedome,
Well said. There is far too much waste and materialism and commercialism at Christmas. People forget to keep Christ in Christmas. As they say, He is the reason for the season.
We entertained a little and never threw food away. For one thing, we don't put out enough food for an army if we're having 4 or 5 people over. The food served at Christmas dinner gets eaten as leftovers if there are leftovers.
We do what you said every year. We buy our kids things they need and we don't, nor can we afford to, go overboard.
Like you, we think there is far too much commercialism and materialism instead of celebration of Christ's birth.
posted by
RAME
on December 27, 2006 at 1:33 PM
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gomedome
My family hasn't exchanged gifts in years. The only one who gets something (now money) is my cousin and that's because he's only 14. Once he gets old enough to truly understand, he won't get anything either. Sure, we put up a tree and enjoy the season, but we don't believe the hype. The members of my family are there for each other the other 364 days of the year. We don't need any elaborate displays on the 25th of December. We kick in the money for enough food to feed all of us and have a couple big meals, dinner on Christmas Eve and breakfast Christmas morning. We eat, drink, and have a good time without the stress. We even use paper goods and help with the cleaning before we head to our differing homes.
posted by
Talion
on December 27, 2006 at 1:26 PM
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Amen
I blogged about how my family handles this not long ago. We agreed we really needed nothing anymore so rather than continue buying useless gifts, we pool the money we would have spent, nominate someone who needs some help, then vote on who the money goes to. It reduces shoppingg stress, restores meaning to the holiday and gives someone a needed boost. Win, win, win.
posted by
TVBlogger
on December 27, 2006 at 1:19 PM
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