Every year, I catch a lot of flack about Christmas, because I do not make a big fuss. I no longer buy a tree or wreath or any decorations. I don't even buy presents. This time I bought 5 presents. In 2002, I bought 3. I write my Christmas cards, but otherwise, that's pretty much it. People always seem surprised why I don't do more for Christmas. Well, what does any of it have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ? You know, it's tough to put up a tree and decorate it, knowing that it has no religious or spiritual significance whatsoever.
I just can't bring myself to do commercialized Christmas anymore. It's not what Christmas is about. To me, Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and it has nothing to do with presents or hot cocoa or a douglas fir or blinking lights. I think that the Charlie Brown Christmas special sums it up:
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
"'And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
-Linus Van Pelt
Word, Linus. Word.
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