My memory goes back to a time when Christmas, a religious holiday loved by all, was a time for caroling, helping out neighbors and spreading words of good cheer.  It was a time when families came home to Grandma or mom’s house where loose ties were inspected and renewed. That memory is clouded by all the commercialism that dominates the newspapers, TV and even my e-mail.

It is a sad thing to think about when you see all the “plenty” that is available for a price. The enticing pictures of camera goods for everybody, clothing for everybody and toys for everybody fill all of our senses. I particularly like our Florida version of the supermarket that fills the TV with almost the smell of dinner cooking as good homey music fills the air and sights of laden tables groan for relief by hungry people.

It is even sadder for me to think back on all the Christmases and other holidays that used to be HOLY days, when thinking about the poor and destitute was part of the scene.  We still give on these special days but I get to thinking about all the other days when the poor and needy have to struggle to get by.  The “Turkey Dinner and All the Trimmings” some receive on Thanksgiving takes care of one meal on that day.  However, there are 364 other days and the churches and charitable organizations cannot do it on faith alone. Giving, as we also do for Christmas dinners, is not enough.

It is getting to look a lot unlike the Christmas I remember. My high school chorus used to go around the streets of Newark caroling.  I suppose it still goes on but if you know of where and when it will happen, please write and tell me. Carol reminds me that the carolers now perform in the Malls.  It is safer there and the audience comes to them.

There is a bit of insanity in what goes on or at least it goes on in the manic phase of bi-polar attributes.  We must buy and buy even if we make fun of it in the comics. We act out the heart-pounding anxiety of getting the right gift for the right person at the right price. If we go out to buy something for the poor and needy to put in the bag donated to the church or a toy given to the Firemen, we may salve our conscience. However, we may feel guilty that we did not buy a special new one instead of resurrecting an old gift someone gave us that we did not want or would not use.

Although not being a Christian I would really like to put Christ back into Christmas. His message still rings true but it is obscured by the need to just buy and buy and buy.