… and to all a reminder to please recycle.
I have to admit, aside from the music and sparkly lights, I don’t actually like Xmas very much. I have trouble seeing anything in it beyond crass commercialism and greed. Maybe I simply worked retail for too many years, but Xmas always makes me thinking of children screaming “I want” and garbage bags stuffed to the brim with recyclable wrapping paper and packaging. Goodness and sharing can come at any time of the year, and there’s always an excuse to get together with family and friends and enjoy each other’s company. Xmas — which differs in my mind from Christmas, which is a religious holiday and which I do respect as a cultural event for Christians, though giving your kids gifts because some shepherds and/or wisemen gave baby Jesus gifts strikes me as being suspiciously… arrogant, I guess? heretical?– mostly involves greed, stress, and environmental irresponsibility.
So, my Xmassy message, for those who actually *do* enjoy this holiday, is to please please please for the love of goodness recycle all that packaging. Yes, there’s a lot of it (kind of my point, really), and it’s annoying (less annoying than shopping this time of year to get it all in the first place? I highly doubt it), but all the happy Xmassing in the world will NOT wish it out of the landfills.
Also, pretty please save all that gawdy wrapping paper for next year? I’ve observed people carrying rolls and *rolls* of it through parking lots to their cars/SUVs/etc. Think of it as your Xmas gift to the earth. The less we demand of it as consumers, the less manufacturers will supply, and that can only be a good thing.
Okay, that’s it for me. Bah humbug (mmm… humbugs! tasty!) for our household, but a merry Xmas/Christmas to the rest of you, if that’s your thing.
And hey, it's a dog!
Joseph Richardson said,
25 December, 2009 at 2:11 pm
“Xmas,” you know, is just an abbreviation for “Christmas,” not a substitution. “X” is Greek chi (Χ), which stands for Christos (Χριστος)… So you’re still not taking the Christ out of Christmas.
But other than that, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I dislike the rampant commercialization (or, if you prefer, commercialisation) pushed on us by retailers and greeting card companies. And yes, it is excessive and wasteful and irresponsible. And the true message of Christmas is all about love and giving and sharing, as God gave Christ to us. Though most of the gift-giving traditions are pagan or secular anyway.
I prefer to take a more Dickensian view to it all, and let it be about love and charity for all humanity, and for the earth and the environment, which even non-Christians can appreciate. And say God bless you, and merry Christmas, dear Maddy. And God bless us, every one.
Madelyne Hogg said,
25 December, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Yes, I know. I have a classical studies degree, remember? I apologise if I was unclear. I’m using that as a short form to differentiate the two in my writing
Merry Christmas, fellow Wanderer
cat said,
26 December, 2009 at 12:45 am
Aren’t all holidays about consumerism and greed? Why is Christmas any different?
Madelyne Hogg said,
26 December, 2009 at 3:23 am
Didn’t suggest it was. It just happens to be Xmas
cat said,
26 December, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Hmmm. I suppose I’ll accept that answer. This time.
Going to see you tomorrow!!!!!