Annual Commercialism Rant

It's not too often I agree with the Pope but I do in this case:

Pope says materialism pollutes Christmas spirit
Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:20 AM ET



VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict warned on Sunday against rampant materialism which he said was polluting the spirit of Christmas.

"In today's consumer society, this time of the year unfortunately suffers from a sort of commercial 'pollution' that threatens to alter its real spirit," the Pope told a large crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear his weekly Angelus blessing.

He said Christmas should be marked with sober celebrations and urged Christians to display a nativity crib in their houses as "a simple but effective way of showing their faith and conveying it to their children."

...

The only difference is that the Pope says commericalism "threatens" to alter the real spirit of Christmas and I say it already has.

Christmas decorations come out right after Halloween--it's like Thanksgiving doesn't exist anymore or is a total afterthought.

Every season, the media focus is on hot toys and shopping on Black Friday.

Company employees almost everywhere are instructed to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". In a way, maybe that's better. I realize we are a multicultural country but the commercialism craze started because of Santa Claus. At first I thought it wasn't necessarily a good thing to take Christ out of Christmas but then I figured, well, maybe it's better not to have the holiday connected to such materialism anyway.

I changed my mind. At the mall where people roam around searching for bargains and where kids demand everything from Santa, I guess it's fine for people to say Happy Holidays...and hope they're not too miserable with their overspending and competing with the Joneses.

Where it really matters, let us who celebrate remember what Christmas is really about and use some common sense when it comes to gift giving.

I think the Pope had a great suggestion about having a Nativity scene at home. We did that when the kids were really little and we even let them play with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, wise men, animals, and angel. Along with hearing the real story of why we celebrate Christmas, it made a difference to the kids to actually role play it out with the figurines. Did they break? Sure...but then we just got new ones.

QOTW:

Holdiay music! Yes or no?

Mostly I’m thinking Christmas music, but this could apply to the odd Halloween song (does any other holiday come with as much music?). Tell me what you like or dislike about holiday music; what your favorite - or least favorite - song is; or just vent about how you can’t go anywhere past… say… September… without hearing it.



Absolutely yes, especially the hymns and carols I grew up on. I love holiday music because it reminds me what the season is all about in a beautiful way. I have several favorites: Joy to the World, Silent Night, White Christmas, and O Come All Ye Faithful. I start itching to hear it in November and can't go past Thanksgiving weekend without it. Luckily there is a station I listen to (B101, 101.5 in the Philly area) that began playing it 24/7 Thanksgiving weekend. :)