No one has ever accused me of being religious but I have a strong aversion to secular, non-traditional Christmas songs. I don't know why it is, but I prefer Good King Wenceslas over Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. We have all but lost the true meaning of Christmas with all that Santa Claus hype and Frosty the Snowman (who I am convinced isn't real). (I also do not believe that the songs should be translated from Latin to English, but I know I'm fighting an uphill battle on that one.)
What is the real meaning of Christmas anyway? We all know the basic plot: Jesus Christ was born in a manger somewhere in the middle east to the Virgin Mary and her husband. Then the three wise men came bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh. If not for the three wise men, we wouldn't be exchanging gifts for Christmas at all. It would be a hell of a lot easier that way. If those men were truly wise, they would have anticipated the insanity of commercialism and gift giving. They should have just sent a card. Son of God or not, the kid didn't really need gold, frankincense or myrrh - in fact nobody does.
And while I'm on the subject, holiday decorations have gotten obtuse. I am all for tasteful white lights on trees and candles in the window. Other than that, I think that holiday decorations should be banned in the United States. It seems that the crappier the neighborhood, the more offensive the decorations get.* Inflatable Santa Clauses and snowmen and blue lights. IT NEEDS TO STOP.
From now on when I see Christmas decorations that I find tacky or offensive, I am going to discreetly slip a note into the offender's mailbox telling them that I dislike their decorations. And if you think I'm kidding, just try me.
Let's keep Christmas tasteful and traditional. A simply trimmed douglas fir and a Christmas goose with plum pudding. Now that's what I call Christmas.
*My sister will be happy that I finally included this topic in my blog.
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2 comments:
you should come to my neighborhood, dyker heights. also in brooklyn. however, if you tried to slip a note in the door, you'd probably be shot on site by the guinzo housewife who picked up the 8 foot tall snowglobe for the front yard.
your blog is entertaining as always. - n.
Dear Peedj,
Clearly, you don't know the meaning of Christmas. We should strive to keep the whole thing as tacky and commercial as possible (a tradition, by the way, that started with all that myrrh). It's more heartwarming. I, for example, moved to the Portuguese neighbourhood in Toronto simply for the blinking Virgin Marys and red and green light-up soccer balls. Now that's Christmas.
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