Even though we are passing through one of our history's most violent
times, it should not keep us from looking forward to a better world.
Sure, holidays such as Christmas are complicated when they involve
family gatherings where we might come out of a sense of obligation, or
enter the front door dressed in our battle gear, or be subjected to
long dull sermons about the birth of a baby in a manger. And I've
personally experienced all of the above. Finally I came to terms with
myself, realizing that by participating in holiday celebrations for
the sake of others was a self inflicted violation of my personal
values.
In my memory of my Sunday School lessons, I recalled the phrase, Do
Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You. Thinking about this,
I realized that what I wanted most of all from others, was respect and
the honesty that goes with it. And here I was, playing a part in
order to keep from hurting the feelings of others, rather than being
honest with them, and expecting the same from them.
Christmas, for me, is a time to relax. We do pass out gifts among our
immediate family, but have limits as to how many and how much. And we
put up a tree and listen to traditional Christmas music, although
neither Cathy or I have any belief in the message of those that sing
of the Miracle of the Virgin Birth.
Our big family gathering is over Thanksgiving. But we do not
celebrate the massacre that came with Christopher Columbus and spread
like a plague across the Land. Nor do we honor our forefathers, many
of whom believed and fought for the spread of the Great American
Empire at the expense of all who stood in its path. We simply use the
four days to bring our children and grand children together and
celebrate our good fortunes and comfort those who are going through
hard times. It's good to know that there are those who truly care for
you. In fact, if I had any Christmas message, I would urge people to
find a place where they were welcome, and embrace the good feeling of
fellowship. And if such a gathering is not close to you, start one.
Give others the sense that you care for them. Despite the message of
our incoming administration, we are not made to stand tall and strong
as individuals. Our Nature is to gather together and share, protect,
comfort and encourage one another.
That "self made man" stuff peddled by the Trumpsters is bogus. Show
me one single self made billionaire. Every man...and it is mostly
men, who preaches this line, came to their wealth and position at the
expense, and through the support of many others. But in order to
protect their way of life, they constantly sell us on the idea that to
gather together is a sign of weakness...even as they join together to
drive us into servitude. So whether it is the Christmas Holiday or
any other holiday, make it into your own time to gather strength and
renew your self determination.
And never lose that dream of a better world.
Carl Jarvis
On 12/26/16, Roger Loran Bailey <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I suppose that I would feel like an imposter if I participated in
Christmas, but I don't. I have to acknowledge it, though, because to my
great annoyance it is imposed on me for about the last quarter of each
year. On the other hand, for many years I did celebrate the new year on
the night of December 31. The bars were always crowded and it was fun to
be among the crowd. There was also a greater number of drunk people out
on that night and I find drunk people to be fun in small doses. However,
for the last three or four years I have not participated in that either.
It has just gotten to seem like too much trouble and a waste of money. I
expect that this new year's eve I will be right where I am now and will
go to bed at about the time the new year arrives, perhaps a few minutes
earlier.
On 12/24/2016 11:25 AM, Miriam Vieni wrote:
Marsha,
I know exactly how you feel. I think that for a lot of people, the
holiday season is just another means to escape reality. People talk
about the spirit of the season, family, peace on earth, etc. The
reality is that for many people, holidays are when family tensions
become exaggerated. There's also a lot of pressure to conform to
expectations when gift giving is part of one's tradition. People go
into debt sometimes, because of this. And as far as Peace on Earth,
well, that's clearly not in the cards. Of course, for me, Christmas
has always been a borrowed holiday. When I did celebrate its
superficial customs, I did so with the knowledge that I was an
imposter. That feeling began when I was four years old and my father
told me that this was the last year we could have a little Christmas
tree because we were Jewish and Christmas wasn't really our holiday.
We'd had a little tree for two or three years because my parents
thought I'd enjoy the colored lights, but no more after this year. So
while I was growing up, I enjoyed Christmas caroles, and glittery
decorations in other people's houses, and I even received some gifts
from my parents and aunt and uncle. Although, at the time, I felt as
if I were being cheated, later on, seeing the kinds of emotional
torment that the holiday season caused for many Christian people, I
felt relieved. I've had close relationships with three non Jewish men
who had drinking problems and Christmas was a terrible time for all
three of them. But for others, the holiday rituals are comforting and
give meaning to their lives. On the DB Review list, beginning in
November each year, people read and review novels about Christmas.
Some people read the same books every year, just like they sing the
same caroles each year. This year, we will be experiencing a new phase
of life in this country, one toward which we have been moving
inexhorably. I don't think that trying to find a silver lining is in
anyone's best interest because if people continue to deny what is
happening, they will be unprepared to defend and protect themselves.
Already, before Trump, the changes in our society have profoundly
affected the lives of people in negative ways. People are stressed and
little by little, the supports that used to help all of us in our
daily lives, are disappearing.The changes have occurred gradually over
a long period of time, and people have been forced to accept them.
Some people don't realize that things were ever different. Someone
whom I know, had a very serious operation on Tuesday. Back when life
was normal, if you had serious surgery and would be seriously
incapacitated by it for some period of time, you would probably be in
the hospital for one or two weeks. This man was scheduled to come home
the day after surgery. He was permitted one extra day because he was
retaining fluid and needed a catheter. It is truly incomprehensible to
me that a majority of our people are being robbed of comfort and
security while trillions are spent on military exploits and a minority
of people are encouraged by our system to accumulate millions of dollars.
Miriam
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Marsha
Anderson
*Sent:* Saturday, December 24, 2016 9:57 AM
*To:* blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [blind-democracy] Re: Change in discussion
HI
I appreciate the Holiday wishes. I just wish I felt in the Holiday
spirit. I don't understand how people can do such terrible things and
then think all is well because it's Christmas. I don't mean people on
this list, of course.
I don't know how to get away from all this stuff. Like I said, Al
Jazeera helps. They do have some good stuff and don't bother with all
the fluff.
Sorry for the ramble on Christmas Eve, but I don't have any Holiday
spirit this year.
Marsha
