This time of year in America is always amazing to me. I wouldn’t miss it for the world; not because I celebrate Christmas, but because it feels SO good to NOT celebrate it. I remember, growing up, how stressed people got, how I would make sure my “santa” list wasn’t too much for my parents to afford, Christmas plays at school, trees, songs, movies, etc. None of it means anything. Those purist Christians, who have returned to a more traditional observance of Christmas, know it. They know the commercial mega-money-maker that it has become.
A few days ago, a news station ran a report on Anthem (one of the biggest medical insurance companies in the world), having a toy drive to collect toys for those children who cannot afford them. Two observations: 1) If I could not afford toys, then I probably couldn’t afford food and clothes either. Give me the essentials first! 2) With all of the money that Anthem steals from poor HMO plans that cost people their arms and legs (sometimes literally), why would they need to collect toys from other people and then deliver them? Why don’t they buy all of the toys themselves?
Nevertheless, my #1 reason for celebrating my lack of celebration of Christmas is the “Christmas Spirit.” It is infectious like a disease and equally as maddening. This week, while driving to and from work, people have been honking at me, yelling, giving dirty looks, driving excessively fast, having accidents, etc. People are stressed, suicide and homicide rates are on high, and the general “spirit” of the holiday is that commercialization rules and everyone MUST be a slave to it. The wife who says, “Oh honey, we don’t have to do the gift thing this year,” doesn’t really mean it. And anyone who says, “Well, it’s the thought that counts,” will probably be at Wal-Mart on December 26th exchanging their light-up singing bowtie for something they can actually wear.
I’ve heard the “progressive” Muslims ask, “Why don’t Muslims celebrate Christmas? We should appropriate American culture!” We should appropriate materialism, high blood pressure, stress, and anxiety? I don’t think so. Even if I had not converted to Islam, I would not make December 25th anything special in my family. It is not the birthday of Jesus (peace be upon him). It is a polytheistic holiday that Christians of the new Roman Empire “appropriated.” Yes, it’s true. The date, the tree, and all of the trimmings are a sham.
Ad:LanternTorch.Net: Freelance writing, web design, editing, and technology training training
Ad:Reliable, affordable web hosting
