You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Every year, Christmas happens. It's one of those things, like 4th of July, or me getting the flu. Well, it's more predictable than me getting the flu, though the flu is a guarantee for some reason too. Holidays weren't an easy time for me last year, pending divorce and whatnot, but I did manage to muster up enough spirit to do some baking and present procurement for those important to me. It may have helped that last year the day I did most of my shopping it was about 25 degrees outside, steel gray skies and snowing. Something about being outside in the snow, eating chestnuts roasted over an open fire, drinking hot chocolate and listening to carolers just puts one in the mood apparently. I'm not kidding about the chestnuts or the carolers. For all my dislike of the suburbs, some of them do up Christmas proper.

This year however, I have no lights hung, no tree decorated, no presents purchased and no tasty treats baked. Heck, I can't even decide if I want to bake, let alone what to bake. I'm struggling with this. It's a new experience to me to not be excited about Christmas. What's even more odd is that I want to be in the mood for Christmas. I mean, I really wish I were motivated to decorate a tree and hang some lights, make the house smell like sugar plum fairies and whatnot. But I feel like Scrooge. Bah, humbug.

Maybe it's because I'm finally sick and tired of the uber-commercialization of this holiday.It's all about buy, BUY, BUY!!!! More more more! As a society we're held captive by the marketing industry and the message it sends. If your husband doesn't buy you a diamond ring, he's a loser. Your wife should purchase you a new Lexus for Christmas. Kids, you're only as cool as the latest video game system. What happened to "for 'tis better to give than to recieve"? These commercials are not about giving your loved ones a gift. No, they're about "you deserve this." Given our penchant as a society for the Seven Deadly Sins and utter avoidance of the Seven Heavenly Virtues, do we really deserve anything?

How many years now have we seen this scenario play out? Some store somewhere instructs their cashiers to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" and suddenly a hundred conservative commentators are barking about the decline in morality in our society and how this is a liberal plot to take Jesus out of Christmas. We'll ignore the fact that people had been celebrating the winter solstice for many years before Christ was born, and that Pope Julius I merely declared Jesus's birthday should coincide with these celebrations in order to make Christianity more accessible to pagans.

Based on these two things, here's my suggestions for new Christmas traditions. Find yourself someone who's in the advertising or marketing industry. Scream "Buy me stuff!" and slap them in the face until they comply. Then tell them "Now you know how I feel." This may be a little harsh for some folks. So I offer this suggestion for those who are faint of heart. Find all your arch-conservative friends. You know, the ones who boycott stores based on their greeting. Have a solstice party for them with mistletoe, holly, gifts, food, drinks, friends and relatives. All those things that we're used to. If they use the phrase "Jesus is the reason for the season," slap them and tell them that no, the tilt and rotation of the earth is the reason, and this is celebration of that. Finally (and more seriously), dig up all your friends and family. Have a party with them. Make (or buy, but not based on what the moving picture box tells you) gifts for them that you think they will enjoy. Go to church. Thank God that even though we as humans pretty much suck, He still gave us something He knew we would enjoy.