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No Christmas Cheer Here
North Miami Beach, FL 12-21-2000 Aaron H.
Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.
NO CHRISTMAS CHEER HERE
Although I am not a Christian, I believe in Jesus. I also believe, unlike
Christians, that Jesus was born human and those who wish to celebrate his
birthday as the Son of God are quite free to do so. But there is no
Christmas cheer here. I also believe that reserving too many days before
December 25th as a cause for a birthday party, IN THE WAY IT IS DONE, is no
cause to cheer. How can anyone cheer for the impossible traffic, the endless
repetition of music about "Jolly", "Merry" and signs of "Bargain", "20-50%
OFF" and "Buy!"?
I get up each morning and cheer just because I can get up. I cheer because
I am able to get up and then to see each glorious day - no matter what the
weather or political state we are in. Christmas Cheer? There is no such
thing. The pre-Christmas obligation is to endure a longer period of torture
than the Florida election caused. Along this line I think people in need
need something to cheer about. And this something should be enduring not
just a short-lived thought.
I also put Thanksgiving Day dinners for the needy in the same category as
Christmas Cheer. We show perfunctory interest in loving our neighbors as
ourselves on choice days. I feel the same thing about Mother's Day and
Father's Day and the February month when we are supposed to think about the
advances made by "people of color" since Abraham Lincoln freed slaves (sic).
To see the sky each day in all its beautiful and awesome colors constantly
changing and programs to end poverty and educate all to appreciate the
wonders of human ability and creativity - these are things to cheer about.
I am sickened by the rush to sell in the period BEFORE Thanksgiving to the
time after Christmas when bargains are to be had. If businesses cheer about
the their profit line why am I also expected to cheer? Is what is good for
business good for the good old U.S. of A? We went through a period when
just that was declared the business of America. It looks like we are doing
it again. I do not think this should be true. The business of America is to
make life worthwhile to the millions it has ignored for way too long. It is
time to cheer for ALL Americans.
What I do cheer about is the 365/24/7 preoccupation of the significant few
who care about other people. These are the ones who sacrifice material gain
and time to truly try to make possible a sustained full-time American
mission of righting wrongs, making equality a fact and sharing fully the
dreams of a good life for all. A pox on all the other self-absorbed, me
first, types. Today Carol and I will go to South Miami where we will record
a textbook on tape for the Blind and Dyslexic - a small thing. What do you
think about Christmas Cheer?
Carol's Evaluation: Carol says: she doesn't quite like the awkward way I
said all this.
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