Reflections on Christmas

[mia]

This comes from a financial market blog and reflects the perspective of many who post on DU.

http://wallstreetexaminer.com/blogs/winter/?p=225

Reflections on Christmas

"First off I wish my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years in the traditional sense. What do I mean by traditional sense? I mean enjoy the holiday trappings in the old fashion way, go Christmas choiring, visit with the family, eat turkey, enjoy a nice tree. And that’s about all you’ll get from me. That’s because although I am not personally a religious individual, and instead am secular minded, I certainly feel Christ’s concepts should be in our minds during this period. That means try and be just a little Christ-like if that’s remotely possible?"

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” -Jesus Christ





"As we head into the big shopping weekend before XMAS, here’s a little snapshot of what America’s cash on hand looks like, an all time low. In using this chart, the hi-lows are caused by mortgage payments, so I use the running lows to gauge cash on hand for daily living. Although Jesus Christ the social critic has been largely tossed on the trash heap, it is obvious from even cursory readings of the New Testament that that’s exactly what he was, a critic and one not above using guilt as a tool of influencing behavior. And one of his biggest targets of all was materialism and “Mammon”. Indeed the primary audience of his ministry were rural debt serfs. It is my sense that Christ was a radical socially and politically engaged figure. That’s what put him on a Roman cross."


“You cannot serve God and Mammon” (Luke 16:13).




"I have written long and hard about the wool that has been pulled over the American people’s eyes by the consumer Mammon message and influence of the corporatist plutocrats. There is another great biblical quote that applies to this modern version of “Rome”, “heap coals upon their head”. What better way of doing that in the Christmas season than by putting the car away, and avoiding the malls. In a small individual gesture, just don’t let them have any of your money. If you’ve already spent it, take the crap back. And if you are in the smaller and smaller group that actually still has some money left, why not give a bit to the needy instead. On the home front, and especially if you have kids why not have a social discussion, believer or not, asking yourself what would Christ do? Really it’s is OK to think and reflect this time of year, and not be called a Scrooge for doing so. And just pour yourself a spiked egg nog as a small compromise if it makes you feel any better. Regardless, don’t think getting in the car, driving to the malls, putting it on plastic to buy next year’s garage sale items, and stuffing yourself with 6000 calories is Christ-like at all, it’s not."

HEAP COALS UPON THEIR HEADS

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Walk your talk

It would be a wonderful world if people actually celebrated Christmas by following the teachings of Jesus, wouldn't it?

[mia]

2. Yes it would.

I can hardly imagine what it would be like any more. It seems like our country has lost it's humanity. This blogger has renewed my hope.

[snappyturtle]

3. Well, this year our Christmas

is quite simple. We've just moved and are trying to get this "house" in working order...re-plumbing and re-wiring and that kind of stuff. And you know,missing the celebration going on in the stores doesn't bother me in the least. It's really a relief. I watched people when I grocery shopped yesterday and the stressed out look was around every aisle.....and I was casually shopping....for food....wonderful. This afternoon I'm baking a couple batches of cookies to give to our grandsons and a couple of friends and will enjoy every minute of it. Nope "they" didn't get ANY of our money this year.....not that we have much left anyway.

[mia]

4. We''ll be exchanging some "chachkas" for fun this year.

I'm with you on scaling down the spending. I've gotten some drug store and and Home Depot gift cards for the adults and some small gifts for the children. Then we're going to play the "chachka" game. My family kids me about giving
"re-gifts" anyway, so this year I invited them all to wrap up things from around the house to add to the gift pile. We'll take turns by either choosing a gift, or taking one that was already unwrapped. I plan to put some family memorabilia in there to offset all of the teacher mugs and stationary I receive each year.

I'm not missing the store celebrations one bit either. Have a delicious Christmas!

[snappyturtle]

5. Thanks for the idea! Maybe we'll insitute a

recycling Christmas exchange! How fun!

[Oleladylib]

6. So true, so true..I tried the simple act of grocery shopping-

this morning..I do that every Saturday-holiday or not..Could not hardly get a parking spot within a country mile...got my milk and bread and came home..Happy Holidays folks

[mia]

7. Speaking of food...It's time to donate to America's Second Harvest.

http://help.secondharvest.org/democraticunderground