It is that time of year again. Christmas in the Cape. The time when people (that is the locals and visiting masses from across the country, and even the world) fork out copious amounts of money (that they may or may not have) to spend on food, gifts and other pleasures, in order to keep with the so-called Christmas spirit. What is that exactly? Is it just a time which serves as a justification for bouts of gluttony, sloth, greed and envy? Is this so-called 'spirit' just a notion invented, warped and encouraged by commerce in order to grow their money coffers? Or do people really take this time to rejoice in the greatest Gift given to mankind? Do people really celebrate the reason for Chistmas, or do they only celebrate the tradition of Christmas?
At a few occasions ove
r the years I have asked why one should have a Christmas tree and presents over Christmas time, and have in most cases been severely rebuked for having such wonderings. "We're doing it for the children. Isn't it nice to see them so excited?" is something I have heard a few times when bringing up this topic. In a way, I feel this is a very sick way of thinking. It seems to me that parents need to see their children get happy and excited about something, and therefore tempts them with material things in order to achieve this. This creates an unhealthy expectation with the kids, who expect bigger and better presents every year, necessitating the parents to buy more expensive gifts every year in order to keep the children excited and happy. To me, this sounds very much like the vicious circle one associates with drug addiction. But who are the addicts? The parents or the children? Are the children’s so-called happiness only the parents’ fix? And where does Jesus feature in all of this? Did he come to earth for parents to feel good about themselves because they can bribe their children towards excitement with material things? Did we ever need Jesus for Christmas (I am sure we could have invented it all by ourselves)?
r the years I have asked why one should have a Christmas tree and presents over Christmas time, and have in most cases been severely rebuked for having such wonderings. "We're doing it for the children. Isn't it nice to see them so excited?" is something I have heard a few times when bringing up this topic. In a way, I feel this is a very sick way of thinking. It seems to me that parents need to see their children get happy and excited about something, and therefore tempts them with material things in order to achieve this. This creates an unhealthy expectation with the kids, who expect bigger and better presents every year, necessitating the parents to buy more expensive gifts every year in order to keep the children excited and happy. To me, this sounds very much like the vicious circle one associates with drug addiction. But who are the addicts? The parents or the children? Are the children’s so-called happiness only the parents’ fix? And where does Jesus feature in all of this? Did he come to earth for parents to feel good about themselves because they can bribe their children towards excitement with material things? Did we ever need Jesus for Christmas (I am sure we could have invented it all by ourselves)? Contrary to how it must seem when one considers what I have written thus far in this post and on this blog in general, I am not a cynical person. I just notice things, and wonder why humanity reacts in the way that it does. Sometimes, when I observe humanity (or the ‘mob’) and see the things it does, I wonder how it is possible that, after so many millennia of development, we really can’t do better than we are currently doing. I am not saying that I know best and are better than my fellow earthlings, but sometimes the general theme of ‘being’ human’ seems to me a bit...shallow.
As I have mentioned in my first post, I believe in God as my Creator and Jesus Christ as the Saviour of my soul. I believe that Christmas is the celebration of the day (whenever it was, there will always be debate about such issues) that Jesus was born as a human being on earth in order to (through His death) provide me with the choice to do good to others, and be at peace with who I am. I feel that all people are inherently good, and that, when this is not apparent, circumstances cause/have caused them to forget this. That is why God has also given us, together with Jesus Christ, his Holy Spirit to remind us who we are, and that there always exists a better way of living through which we can achieve real peace and happiness. This however does not result in my life being easier than those of people who do not believe. Every day, no matter how hard I try to do the right thing, I still make mistakes. But it does take care of the guilt. I know that, when I have made a mistake and have sincerely asked His forgiveness, He will forgive me, meaning I can forgive myself and be free to try and do it right the next time. In the end, this is more of a present than any physical gift could ever be.
Finally, getting back to the Christmas conundrum, I must confess I currently struggle to see how Christmas can be wrested way from the clutches of selfishness. This problem currently is entrenched on a societal level, which (seemingly) makes changing things very hard. But I also feel radical changes can be sparked off when, at the right time and the right place, an opportunity arises and the right person is there to light the fuse. And if I am to be such a person, I can only pray that I will be vigilant enough to see the opportunity and be brave enough to take the necessary step.
But until then I will keep observing, questioning and contemplating...
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