Ho, Ho, Hum

I'm not Scrooge incarnate, but let's just say I've never been accused of being a jolly old elf around Christmas time. It's not that I'm ungrateful for the Reason for the Season; it's just that when I look at all that goes on in the name of Christmas, it sure seems everyone else is. (I'm more of a Thanksgiving/Good Friday guy, but that's irrelevant to this post.)

I've not begun my Chrismas shopping because I don't do any. I don't look forward to gift exchanges (White Elephant or real), because they bring out the worst in my kids and, as a result, the worst in me. I don't proclaim the global "pretend day of peace" we turn Christmas into, especially when there are far too many people who experience no peace due to government corruption, economic disruption, and family dysfunction - gifts that, unfortunately, keep on giving the whole year 'round.

My perspective on the American version of Christmas is summed up in the words of Clark W. Griswold at the end of their Christmas misery in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: "We're going to have the happ-, happ-, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby danced with Danny ******* Kaye." Translation: "It's Christmas, we've made ourselves tired and miserable, and we're going to celebrate, darn it."

I hate to break it to you, dear readers, but I'm too much of an idealistic realist (or pessimist, if you're the "eternal optimist" type) to drink the holiday Kool-Aid and hustle and bustle all over creation, "properly" observing (for that's often only what we do - ask yourself what you're actually celebrating) the birth of Jesus.

Instead, I tend to be quiet, try to keep my mouth shut (it's hard), and endure all the hoopla until I can get a moment alone to confess my intense anger at how we've commercialized the true meaning of Christmas as just another reason I'm in need of it (the true meaning of Christmas, that is).

Maybe I am Scrooge, but at least I have a reason to need the holiday. This Christmas, in the midst of it all, I encourage you to ask yourself if you have one as well.

Merry Christmas (darn it).

(Note: In an effort to be a full-service blog, for those not feeling all warm and fuzzy after reading my post, read Garrison Keillor's post on why he needs Christmas in Salon.)