Christmas is not a perfect day
We have rightly denounced the crass commercialization of Christmas. I don’t think we’ve even yet mentioned that retail chains forbid their staff from wishing customers “Merry Christmas” because the customers may not be Christian. There is, however, another grim side to the holiday. Like the commercial side, it is completely unattached to the true meaning of Christmas, but it is equally antithetical to and destructive of the holiday it tries to appropriate.
Christmas is the most painful time of the year for many.
We are taught that Christmas must be “perfect”—that is, taught by Hallmark and the disciples of Mammon; but we are human, hence, imperfect. A thing can be beautiful even absent perfection. Not all live in ideal families, or in families at all. Not all have comfortable lives, nor live in good health, nor are satisfied with the progress they have made since last Christmas. Rates of suicide and clinical depression rise during Christmas. None of this results from the Yule. It’s the result of the ridiculous expectations that Hallmark et al foist on us. We must be deficient. What’s wrong with us?
I am Christian. I love My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He does not want this for us. Can’t we take our focus off our personal Report Cards at this time of year and instead focus on the love, peace and goodwill that we can all share with each other?
Merry Christmas, and God Bless Us, Every One.