...but the song remains the same...(OT)

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:27 pm

Hey, boys:
 Just had a thought to pass along. This is the time of year I used to get really excited about when I was a kid. Thoughts of Santa Claus, getting out of school, snow (however wishful that thinking was in Alabama!), and all the hubub over it all. Being from a Christian family, of course, we also celebrated Jesus´ birth, which, aside from the winter solstice sharing the date, is why the holiday is celebrated. We had a nativity on the town hall lawn, and our small town parades were sprinkled with church entries of various depictions. No one complained, no one was forced to agree, and no one was forced to remove or scale back the images of the birth of Christ.
 Oh, what a difference a few years makes. Commercialism rules the day, as frantic shoppers make their last ditch efforts to get that all important gift so that someone will "have Christmas". Fringe activism seeks to tear away from the season the very reason for it, and Christmas has quickly become not so much a joy, as an undertaking, a task, something to which rest is essential in the aftermath. It´s crazy.
 So this Christmas, take a second look. Whether one is Christian or not changes nothing about the holiday-it is in celebration of the Christ child. To try and take that away is akin to removing the celebration of my birthday...on my birthday. To do so wouldn´t matter- it´s still my birthday.
 If nothing else, don´t let the insanity of the holiday take away from celebrating the blessings of life, our families, our children, our country, and other things too numerous to name. Celebrate how you wish, of course, but try and concentrate on the simplest of things-the things that truly make us happy. And so then may we all have a truly Merry Christmas...
 
 Merry Christmas, guys, and a fresh and prosperous new year!
 Peace,
 Teal [ This message was edited by: tealboy03 on 20-12-2003 16:28 ]

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:51 pm

Great post. My family is not the most religious in the world, but I agree with what you say 100 perceent... especially the following.....
 
 <TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>No one complained, no one was forced to agree, and no one was forced to remove or scale back the images of the birth of Christ.
 Oh, what a difference a few years makes.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 Something that seems small, but really gets under my skin is the following. My company no longer has a Christmas Dinner as it may offend some of the employees. Instead, we now wait until after the Holiday season and then we have a dinner as just a time to get everyone together outside the work environment.
 
 Stuff like that pisses me off beyond belief. OFFEND SOMEONE? If someone gets offended by being offered a very nice free meal for them and their family to celebrate Christmas together with other co-workers.. .I SAY <a href="mailto:F@CK" target="_new">F@CK</a> THEM!
 
 This is just one example of what I´m getting at. Many schools no longer have Christmas parties in their class rooms to avoid any chance of offending any of the students who may not be Christian.
 
 It´s almost sickening. [ This message was edited by: Boom on 20-12-2003 16:52 ]

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:00 pm

Hey, Boom, thanks for the kudos (kudos-sheesh, I play too much PGR2) Some say that the Christmas flap borders on the ridiculous. I say the borders have been run over like an open bar at an AA meeting. Just live and let live, y´know?

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:02 pm

"If someone gets offended by being offered a very nice free meal for them and their family to celebrate Christmas together with other co-workers.. .I SAY <a href="mailto:F@CK" target="_new">F@CK</a> THEM! "
 
 ...in a matter of words, yeah, that works for me...
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:39 am

Teal:
 
 Great post. I say Merry Christmas to everyone I see this time of the year, and I could give three f*cks whether it offends them or whether they celebrate the holiday or not.
 
 The whole point of Christmas is the birth of the Christ child and the love that still engenders to this day. Whether you believe in Christ or not, you better believe in love, or this world is f*cked.
 
 So Merry Christmas!
 
 Take care,
 PK

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 12:52 am

"Whether you believe in Christ or not, you better believe in love, or this world is f*cked. "
 
 
 Ah, the great orator speaks...no one says it quite like you, PK. You´re like Wayne Gretzky- you are the Great One inside the boards, my friend! You´re also quite right in your assertions, so Merry friggin´ Christmas to all!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 12:37 pm

So, I take it no one would be offended if I wished you all a Happy f*****g Hannukah?!!??
 
 HAPPY F*****G HANNUKAH you bastards!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 2:20 pm

Dan:
 
 Not one bit, brother!
 
 And Happy f*cking Kwanzaa to all who celebrate that holiday, too!
 
 Shalom,
 PK

RiverRat · Post by **RiverRat** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:56 pm

Don´t forget about Festivus. A Festivus for the rest of us! You know ... feats of strength, airing of grievances ... ah, the great traditions.
 
 Seriously though, whatever you celebrate this season, celebrate with heart.
 
 Merry Christmas,
 RR

cocoman · Post by **cocoman** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:15 pm

Feliz Navidad...amigos!