Happy Politically Correct Phrase!

Aah, Christmas time is here. The joyful rush of the winter season is finally upon us once again, and there's not a moment to lose! Shopping, Christmas tree, shopping, Christmas parties, shopping, Christmas lights, shopping, gift exchanges, and of course, shopping!

In less than two weeks it will all come on the morning of the 25th of 2007's December, and then, with one last stroke of the clock, it will all be over. I don't mean to be depressing, but I am a very observant person, not just of other people, but of the world around. Sure, I love Christmas as much as the next guy; I still can't get myself to sleep on the night of Christmas Eve, despite being of the age when sleeping sounds better than 99.9% of all other available activites. But I often feel that all my excitement over what wonderful surprises may be hidden inside the beautifully wrapped packages under the tree is so unnecessary, its so excessively wasteful. In Christmas' of late, i've found that all the joy of the "Christmas spirit" vanishes the next day, when I discovered that my "Christmas spirit" wasn't that for much at all, it was only the "Getting spirit".

And this is something I've taken notice to that lately. What lies in simply wanting to get stuff? It's like my little cousin, who on so many a Christmas seems little concerned about anyone else but himself in regards to who gets presents, when they get them, and how many they get. Of course, who can blame him? The poor boy is only a small child. But what made him think this way? Surely not his loving, respectable parents! Why, they have raised in ways so contrary to that of his Christmas behavior! They have only sought to raise him up to be a kind gentleman, loving the Lord and selflessly giving to others with a servant's heart. Who is to blame? Is it television, with its rapid-fire advertisements of all the great things available for possible possession this year? Is it other little kids, none so fortunate to have better parents? Parents who satisfy all the needs of their children by showering them with petty, useless items?

I would say both. And you might think I am knocking on presents. I am most certainly not. What I am doing is pointing out the attitude with which we place on gifts. Our joy should not be in getting the gifts but giving the gifts. The Bible says it is greater to give than to receive. Perhaps that was my problem, riding home in the car on Christmas night, feeling miserable despite the many ludicrously expensive items surrounding me. I had received, and yet I still hungered for more. I was not satisfied, though my list might have been. So this year, although I did ask for things, it was a smaller list. That way the joy can be in the surprise. And the joy for the giver can be in seeing the shocked look on my face. I realize that i've been rambling for a long time, but that's what I always seem to do. So there you go. Time to set up Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dasvedanya,

Landon

MUSICAL RECOMMENDATION:

"We Have A Map Of The Piano" by mum.