Bill's Notes

Who isn't put off by the crassness, the consumerism and the hypocrisy surrounding Christmas? And I'm not one who goes spouting off about hypocrisy, but if you hate your brother, why are you getting him a gift without reconciling first? Are you supposed to gloss over the fact you've been a bastard to him, or that he's been a bastard to you, just for the sake of family peace? How deep does the bullshit have to get before someone says enough?

As far as holidays, I much prefer Thanksgiving, which is a holiday about sharing, and Easter, which is an overtly religious holiday about the conquest of death. Both very important things. The birth of God into the world is also important, but it seems to be a season that has gotten extremely, dangerously off-track.

The way I get through Christmas is a three-step process.

First I keep a very low profile: I completely ignore it until it can no longer be ignored. If I need to get gifts, I decide in advance what they are and get them without a fuss.

A second element is to give thanks to the people who are sharing themselves ... having Christmas parties, or spreading good cheer, or taking time to wish you a Merry Christmas, or sending you a card, or shaking your hand. The thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit is the best sign of Christmas, and the Holy Spirit acting in people's lives. Leaving the consumerism and the hypocrisy, and seeking the real, makes the season quite beautiful — and also quite brief.

A third element is to read the Christmas story (and go to Mass) (or watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, as Chris pointed out in the comments:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Thanks be to God for saving us.