All of us here in Jethro's World would like to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas.
Every Christmas season brings about mixed feelings for me. While I find great joy in celebrating the birth of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ; I am saddened by the greed and over-commercialism that comes with the Holidays.
It is truly a sad day when the word Holiday has replaced the word Christmas on TV and radio. School children no longer have Christmas vacation; it is now Winter break. Songs on the radio have lines like, "let's give thanks to the Lord above 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight". Every other yard has an inflatable Santa and a Snowman -- right next to the motorized, lighted reindeer. All winter long we hear about retail sales during the Holidays -- and how important they are to our economy. And when you choose not to care about or participate in these secular rituals, you get labeled as a "Scrooge".
But there is much reason for joy this and every Christmas season. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also celebrate the life he lived, his message of peace and kindness, and the hope that he still represents to many of us. Despite all of the frenzied shopping, decorating, and partying; the underlying message of generosity and good will still prevails -- and that is the true spirit of Christmas. I also find much joy in the fact that my little Noey knows who "Baby Deezus" is, but really doesn't know or care much about Santa Claus.
So this Christmas, don't worry too much about what you are going to get. Spend some time thinking about what you are going to give; whether it be a gift, or a kind word, or a smile -- and let the smiling face of the recipient be the real gift.
Merry Christmas everyone!
-Jeffy
Posted by jethro at December 23, 2004 09:33 AM | TrackBack