I really wanted to go on an extensive rant about the whole Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays thing but I’ve barely noticed the militant political correctness that has policed us the last few years. Sure, there are signs that read “Happy Holidays,” but I’ve also seen businesses with “Merry Christmas” signs as well. Are we finally passed the “Happy Non-Denominational Holiday” (eat a dick John Mayer) scourge of holiday’s past? Or is it just that we finally are so screwed in other ways that the whole thing is kind of a non-issue?
Maybe that is actually it. Perhaps this year we find ourselves so financially and politically fucked that if someone wishes us a “Merry Christmas” we accept it, hoping that even though one may not celebrate the named holiday the intention is still there, and that we may have one or two days where we don’t have to worry about a goddamn thing. Perhaps it has finally just gotten to the point that while we all struggle for jobs, wonder how we’re going to pay bills, hope to god insurance rates or tuition don’t skyrocket in the next 365 day we really don’t have time to get angry that someone didn’t stop to consider our own personal beliefs and traditions when giving us our best - their wish that we have a happy holiday of our own, whatever it may be.
Perhaps the problem is perspective. Everyone lost it the last few years, and we got so stupid/crazy people lost their jobs over their holiday greetings. Maybe the important part isn’t what we celebrate, but that we celebrate at all. It’s that we are lucky enough to celebrate with the people we still have, that we are lucky enough ourselves to be alive to celebrate.
If we stop and think, about what the true meaning of the holidays are anymore, most religious context is somewhere near the bottom of the pile. They are all mostly generic commercialized and overexposed. Pine trees undergo a holocaust all their own to get wrapped in lights and covered in glass bulbs, and instead of a bed of dirt and pine needles these trees now sit over a pile of whatever presents a family could get together. For some it might be the new XBox 360 Kinect bundle and games, for others, they’ll feel lucky if there is anything at all.
This year, my sister, mom, and I are sponsoring a poor family for Christmas. We’ve bought them gifts, both for fun, and things they need. Because this is the time that everyone needs a little hope, they need that wish of at least a few good days. It’s not about the gifts, it’s about what we all want - a little happiness, a little togetherness. And we want to help with that, regardless if they are our family or not.
So there you go. I’ve gone on getting all sappy enough for one day. You all go out and have yourselves a Merry Fuckin’ Christmas. :)