Fairytale of New York

I often worry for the state of humanity and in particular the UK. More and more we seem to copy or be influenced by the USA. I may not openly admit this but there are some good things about them but it's often overshadowed by really silly things that take focus just due to sheer stupidity.

The thing that I've just read now makes me fearful, a big brouhaha over something I love; Christmas. What makes it sillier is it seems to stem from something attributed to Bush (no surprises there then). It's reported that the Christmas cards sent from the White House didn't make any specific reference to Christmas and people have decided to throw a hissy fit over this, despite the same occurance for the past 13 years and various Presidents that have been in office.

For me Christmas time has always been something a bit special. It may be due to the many great and funny memories I have of Christmas or it may be due to something sappier like the whole Christmas spirit and joy we're supposed to experience and embrace. Whatever it is, people seem to be intent on ruining it and diluting the whole season. To the point that people get fed up even before Christmas comes close. Reading something like this only makes your heart sink that there can be so much said about something that seems so minor.

The article makes note of the use of the term "Happy Holidays" but is this really necessary or a step too far towards being overly PC and overcompensating? The term itself is very American and I don't think I've heard people here in the UK use it. The thing is that it just reeks of people with too much free time on their hands.

I'm not Christian and I don't celebrate Christmas because of the birth of Jesus Christ but I do acknowledge it as I acknowledge there are many other celebrations taking place in this season. I could track back and look into why my family started celebrating Christmas but I'm not really sure why. However, we live in a predominatly Christian country where Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, it's difficult not to notice it or the whole story surrounding it. The thing is my religious belief is not really important here and I don't think anyone else's should be the important point here.

I believe Christmas has taken on a higher consciousness. Far beyond just the birth of Christ. It's now a period of time that gives rise to many celebrations. Be it Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus. To put that simply, Christmas is a period of time when some faiths have important celebrations and where we generally eat too much turkey and give presents all in the company of family and friends.

It all brings us together to share time with each other and just generally be jolly and merry. That fundamentally is what Christmas is about. The birth of Christ brought together people from all walks of life for what was a momentus event.

Regardless of faith, I'm sure this is a message that everyone can appreciate. Don't fight and struggle over little things, embrace the bigger picture. Don't draw arbitary lines in the snow that mean absolutely nothing. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whatever it doesn't matter. What does is that you are greeting everyone and wishing them all the best in this season of celebration.