Walking around here on Maui, I’m not reminded very often that it is late December much less that we’re knee deep in the hypocrisy of Christmas. I can’t say that my utter contempt for this particular holiday and the fact that it isn’t a big a deal here had much to do with my decision to move here, but I can say that I’m even more pleased with my decision now.
I know there are a lot of people out there who LOVE the holidays and might even go as far as exhibiting some level of “good will” toward their neighbors, but it is all absolutely fake. Really, I’m calling all you “happy holiday” types out and stating for the record that you’re as plastic as a six pack ring.
I’ve always felt the same way about the holidays. Even as a child I was able to see past the artificial joy of those around me. I’ll admit, I’m not the ideal demographic sought after by the marketing machine behind Christmas (I have a brain that doesn’t disengage when presented with heart-string-pulling-advertising), but c’mon how obtuse do you have to be to fall for all that feel-good crap?
Now, I don’t believe that the holiday has anything to do with religion, so my disinterest in the celebration has nothing to do with my stance against organized religion. Of course, I’d be remiss in my responsibility to truth if I didn’t remind any “good Christian” that Christmas is the end-result of the biggest advertising campaign ever initiated by man. First, historically speaking, Christ wasn’t born in December, but in the Spring. Second, the Christmas celebration was created by the Christian Church to compete with pagan Winter/New Year celebrations. How much more artificial can you get than a holiday created out of whole cloth in order to please the populace? I’d rather celebrate Festivus if I’m going to buy into an artificial holiday.
You can sing your carols, be temporarily nice to complete strangers, and buy into the materialistic “spirit” of the season if you like, but don’t expect me to join you.