de Paul Warren

Humbug… it’s been 2 years now. This being my third year as a humbugger. I don’t think I’ll return to Christmas as I had it previously. I think people understand that I will not return the favour and give them a gift if they get me one. The past 2 Christmas’ have been fairly stress free. I have to admit, I rather enjoy it.

I wrote a post about 2 years ago as to why I became a scrooge / grinch. Not much has changed. Although I’m less offended when people spread Christmas Cheer. I mentioned before that I would hold my tongue, well now I shrug it aside like they just insulted my lawn… It’s my lawn, I couldn’t care less. In fact, I feel a little pity for them:

• having to stand in lines buying gifts that are
• often likely to get the response of  “Oh…. thanks…. it’s .. great.”
• stressing out when they are not sure what to get someone, but the they have to get the other(s) something
• because they know the other(s) got them something and feel they have to return the favour.
• as a few have to endure the last minute shopping because they waited until today (Christmas Eve) to shop.
• as a few of them are getting the latest in popular items that have caused wide spread chaos as parents fight to the death to get a $20 gift that the kid will have forget about in 2 months.

I do not miss that at all.

The only thing I’m a little peeved about still is how Christmas is viewed by Christians and non-Christians. Christians are upset that Jesus is being removed from anything related to Christmas and the non-Christians are upset that Jesus is still in Christmas. Granted there is a group that doesn’t care either way, but this is not about them. I get annoyed when I see Christians putting up a fight or protesting to have Jesus returned to Christmas. If someone wants to celebrate with Santa Claus, let them. It’s not our place to impose Jesus on anyone. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. As ambassadors, we are to abide by the rules of the foreign country we live in and at the same time, live as an example (and a good one at that) of who we really are. Throwing a hissy fit  because Santa is more popular than Jesus just shows you’re not being a good enough example of Jesus in the first place…. and the hissy fit adds to that.

Either I’m numbed by what goes on now, or things are not as bad as they used to be. Not with the whole X-mas fiasco. If things are not as bad now, then that’s a good thing. It’s just something I’ve seen before and I haven’t vented about for a while, even if that whole thing is now stale.

Anyway… if the traditional gift giving is for anyone, it’s children. I’m still on the fence as to how I want my children to experience Christmas. However, anyone who tries to make that decision for me can stuff it.

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