The spirit of the season and how to avoid it

No political commentary today, no, not even any environmental concerns. No, today I want to talk about the "spirit of the season". And by that, I do not mean Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the angel Gabriel or Santa Claus. What I mean is that oppressive sense of panic descending on or around the first of December, crushing the very "warm coziness" it dangles in front of us to lure us into its vortex of buy, buy, buy and busy, busy, busy. Then, if we can't afford to buy, buy, buy or have no one to be busy, busy, busy with or when the actual day does not deliver on the promised "magic" of warmth / family / intimacy we are heaped with such a sense of loss that many despair. Social agencies and emergency hot lines beef up their services over Christmas and New Years to try to avert the human tragedies brought on by this same spirit - self-destructive behaviours that trip over into suicide.



Isn't this always the way? The dark trying to co-opt the light, trying to blight the generosity and genuine good will shown by so many during this time of year. Trying to draw attention away from the dirty stable where Jesus' was born - redolent with animal smells and the worship of shepherds. Instead, we get stuck in Herod's palace with the cloying sweetness of expensive perfumes and an inordinate drive to "get what is mine". What else could have been driving those hordes of people in the USA who broke through the doors of a Walmart and trampled an employee to death. Yes, the ads put out by WalMart pumped people up with expectations of yet more Christmas goodies for an even cheaper price. But why did that advertising work?

Well, I am trying to lay low myself. Malls do it for me - that is, once I am in one, all reserve and self-control go out the window. Oh, wait, I forgot, there aren't any windows in a mall - just like there aren't any clocks or any logical layout of the stores...I figure they are designed that way intentionally - it is to the vendors' advantage that you lose your way and your sense of time and any awareness that a reality outside of the mall exists.

Lest I sound like Scrooge - I do love Christmas and all the trappings. Its just that I find it so easy to get focused on the trappings and forget the content. Some ways around that are to focus on the poor, on making your own gifts, on spending time (instead of money) with those you love and on look for ways to be kind and civil to others as you trudge through the pitfalls and blessings of this season.