Christmas

And so the day is fast approaching. I finally got just about all my shopping done. After the busyness of life and two jobs, I'm tired and looking forward to my long vacation in January.

Some might wonder why I have so much cynicism toward the holidays. Well, here's the thing, it's not Christmas in itself I hate, but all the hustle and bustle, the commercialism, etc. If I really thought of how Christmas should be I'd prefer a Charles Dickens atmosphere over a crazy Black Friday mob in a corporate environment. Though I have to admit all this craziness has helped pay the bills for me with one of my jobs being with a delivery company and the other being retail. I least I have work.

There's a video on the internet which advertises a Jesus action figure, which though funny is rather offensive. But it does show the rediculousness of Christian consumerism. I don't read of the apostles celebrating Christmas as they were busy doing real stuff Christians should be doing like spreading the Gospel, helping the poor, healing the sick, etc.

It seems interesting to me that very month of celebration seems to be the time when relationship with God slacks. I know how hard it is to lead a congregation to worship during the holidays. My own prayer times have slacked a bit being so busy. That's my own fault, of course, but the whole hustle and bustle thing isn't helping.

I guess this is just a rant. Don't really know what to do to change things. I suppose try to find ways to help others, and I do appreciate the various groups that help children, single parents, the homeless, etc. I think Christmas and Thanksgiving should be a time of grace for the down and out. I guess there are other things we can do as well, like reconcile with relatives if there are family problems.

But really when it comes down to it, the best thing you can do this a better holiday season is buy me more presents.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone.