Like many others we're really trying to
cut back this holiday. For many reasons
it seems that things have totally gotten
out of hand. At least as relates to gift
giving! The mania related to finding the
right thing for some special person is out
of control. So much so that many of the
true messages related to this time of year
have been usurped by checking off one's
list. Hence many are questioning what
this season is truly all about. And... some
wonder whether we all need to step back
and take a reality check. How about you?
Depending on one's faith, the rituals
of December all involve some sort of
higher purpose. Oddly, if one reflects
on the reasons for such observances,
few if any involve the things that now
consume most of us. In theory, each
require that we step back and reflect
upon what life is really about. That
should include freedom, equality,
sacrifice, unity, and much more. Yet
sadly most are focused on gluttony,
greed, and self indulgence. Have we
forgotten the reason for the season?
This Islamic holiday venerates the
birth of the prophet Mohammed.
Muslims believe he was the last
prophet sent by God. His purpose
was to restore Islam, the unaltered,
pure, monotheistic faith of Adam,
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others.
He united what was then known
as Arabia into one unified muslim
polity. Therefore many consider
this day a celebration of harmony
and shared beliefs - not shopping.
After the Jewish people were conquered
by Alexander The Great they continued to
freely pursue their religious beliefs. More
than a century later, Antichious IV decreed
an end to the Jewish faith and subsequently
massacred those opposed. Ultimately led
by the Macabees they revolted against
persecution. Today a seven night ritual
lauds their victory over oppression and
celebrates the rededication of the Temple
in Jerusalem. Hence this Jewish holiday
is in honor of religious freedom. And not
dreidels, gelt, or seven days of goodies!
One can't help but wonder how the Greek
patron saint of fishermen became a man
in a red suit flying with reindeer. During
most of his time here on earth, Nicholas
was a pilgrim and a searcher of truth. As
one of the signers of the Nicene Creed -
his spiritual legacy is fairness, equality,
and clarity. Rather than doling out gifts
from a sack, the real St Nick fed the poor,
protected the oppressed, and miraculously
restored life to the wrongfully killed. How
could we have exchanged his message of
peace and love for a trite "HO-HO-HO?!"
The advent season recognizes what
Christians consider to be the greatest
gift of all. For those who embrace the
theology of immaculate conception
feel God the Father's gift of Christ
his son that and much more. Thus to
those who embrace said human diety -
it's an example of total self sacrifice.
The idea of which bodes the question.
How did decadent over indulgence
become the reason for this season?
Is it only about getting not giving?!
This holiday celebrates the Buddha's
enlightenment. You see, at some point
all of us - even Gods need to chill out.
Depending on how one tells the story,
Buddha slowly shifted deeper into a
meditative state. There he confronted
his true self, discovered the Law of
Karma and other truths, and ultimately
it all led him to Nirvana. So in essence,
this religious recognition is all about
finding TRUTH. The question is do
most of us realize that Buddha never
searched for presents under his tree?!
Whatever one believes, it's hard to not
agree that somewhere, somehow, we
forgot why we celebrate what. Instead
one might suggest that our focus has
shifted from humble worship to glitzy
glamour. When will we all realize that
there can be too much of a good thing?
And the fact is we're already more than
blessed. Therefore if it is better to give
than receive, shouldn't we all be giving
our all to some sort of higher purpose?
Isn't it time to stop the foolishness and
go back to the reason for the season?!