Perhaps since it’s pretty clear that the whole Howardian spirit of Christmas thing vs. Festivus is a complete beat up (Wal-Mart may wish its customers “Happy Holidays” but I’ve been almost deafened by Carollers and louder than normal Xmas muzak every time I’ve walked into a shopping centre lately), the Christmas wars seem to have moved on to Santa vs. Jesus. In this thematic, Santa stands for evil materialism and Jesus for true holiday holiness.
Of course, the ever astute Julia Baird points out, the best way to take evil materialism out of your holiday is to ignore it:
Presents do not equate to materialism. Or they don’t have to. Nor are presents separate to family, or even religion.
Which is why it is understandable but still odd that everyone mutters about commercialism at this time of year. It is so easy to avoid. If you hate the pressure of buying expensive gifts, buy cheap, thoughtful ones. Make something yourself, write personal cards. Or if even that is too much, offer your time - to mind someone’s children, walk their dog, proof read their essays, help in the garden. The point of it all is to spend your time thinking about other people - what they like, what they need, what might make them happy.
It’s true Jesus was anti-materialist. But he was also about selflessness and giving.
Baird notes, apropos of our friend James McConvill, that Santa vs. Jesus is a false dichotomy. What’s also interesting that in breaking news, Pope Benedict (already well known for his Prada shoes) seems to be smashing the dichotomy altogether, reviving some medieval ecclesiastical headgear, which gives him a strange resemblance to Santa. But then, after all, the Christmas tree was invented in Germany…
Elsewhere: Laura demonstrates the true spirit of bloggy Xmas.
Yes, I was one of those superficial people who thought that Pope Benedict looked a bit… scary but he looks so damn cute in that photo.
He doesn’t miss a trick, does he. Hoax!
The whole “Happy holidays” things really annoys some people apparently. My employer has been displaying this on their ATMs and as a result the customer service people have this as their top source of complaints currently mostly with threats of customers to pull their business over it.
While I think the expression is insipid, I just can’t see why people get worked up about it.
God, proofreading essays, walking other people’s dogs and minding children at Christmas time — sounds bloody exhausting! Who is she kidding?
How about ‘Merry Mithras’ instead?
Laura demonstrates the true spirit of bloggy Xmas.
I don’t mind the ‘Happy Holidays’, the one ATM message I really wish banks would abolish is ‘Insufficient Funds For Withdrawal’.
I fucking hate that.
I always thought that ‘South Park’ had the ultimate word on this topic:
Santa: Ho ho ho. We meet again, Jesus.
Jesus: You have blemished the meaning of Christmas for the last time, Kringle!
Santa: I bring happiness and love to children all over the world.
Jesus: Christmas is for celebrating my birth!
Santa: Christmas is for giving!
Jesus: I’m here to put an end to your blasphemy!
Santa: This time we finish it. [stands, flipping a small girl off his lap] There can be only one! [cocks his head to the right]
Stan: Dude, this is pretty fucked up right here.
If you want to read the whole thing you can do so here
of course presents are equal to materialism.
The Puritans had it correct.
work on the day and celebrate Christ by worshipping there and go to church in the morning to celebrate.
none of this festivities nonsense
There goes the retail sector.
If I were a Christian, I’d be down with Homer’s view. Since I’m not, I say: presents for all!
Now, the real question is: will a cloned Johnny Depp fit in my stocking?
Can I get a live action figure of Santa Benedict to put next to my tree?
The fact that there is a perceived sacred/secular dichotomy between Jesus and Santa is no indictment of poor Santa but of the people who perceive such a dichotomy. Santa Claus was, of course, Saint Nicholas…. a SAINT. Whether or not Santa’s image has been corrupted or misused for materialist ends is another matter. No doubt companies do use him to advertise… and Christmas is perhaps used to cynically push children’s “I want …. !!!” button. But maybe in the process Children are also learning about giving. Sharing and giving are important activities and should be encouraged. However, how can you really know the pleasure of giving if you have no experience of another giving to you? Only that can teach you how happy you make someone else when you give something to them.
BTW… I recall seeing a nativity scene in the shop window at the Myer centre on Queen st just today. I didn’t recall being offended.
Kate
Willem Dafoe and Nichols Cage got as far as their necks
We are now in the age of the dark pope. Tell me friends, would jesus dress up as a false Christmas idol? Would he imitate a doctrine of the DEVIL? The pope is suppose to teach unto us as Jesus would teach unto us. In the speach he gave that day, he actually announces AND embraces the New World Order! Go see the transcript! He says that through Jesus’s light, we can have a NEW WORLD ORDER of political and economical benefits! BENEDICT, JESUS WILL DEFEAT YOU!
Silly juggins - you’ve got the wrong dark pope. [link]