A modest Proposal to Save Christmas

Vanity | 12/6/2001 | self

[GypsyBob]

I am sure most of you have felt that from time to time that Christmas is way too commercialized, and way to busy. This is particularly unfortunate because to those of the Christian Faith, Christmas, and the preceding Advent Season, are supposed to be opportunities for prayer and introspection. But it seems like the only praying I get to during December is praying for a good parking space at the mall, or a good gift for my wife! And heaven knows, I need to do some praying after all the swearing I do fighting the crowds! :)

So here’s a modest proposal…

Like many families, we always celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas with small toys and treats left in stockings on the morning of his day, kind of a ‘mini Christmas’. Keeping the tradition up in my own family, this AM our 3 year old got some matchbox cars, my wife got a new wallet, and I got some slippers, left behind by the ‘St. Nick.’

Well, what if we took all that gift giving of Christmas and did it all on St. Nick’s Day? We’d have to start shopping sooner, but then we could get it out of the way, leaving Christmas for what it was intended… religious observance. I really think that we could make St. Nick’s day as fun for the kids as Christmas, and then settle in for a prayerful Advent.

Another benefit would be that unlike the story of Santa, explaining to your kids who St. Nick was would be a good chance to share faith. He was a devout and generous man, and a good example for children.

Learn more about him here. St. Nick

[Arthur McGowan]

In many countries, gifts are given on Epiphany--but American kids are not going to like waiting for that!

[goodnesswins]

I like your idea....due to all the CRAZINESS of step families, etc. I could see this as a definite PLUS. I have been trying to do all this on Epiphany, but it ends up being anti-climatic. Maybe I'll announce this as our plans for next year and the coming years. It would be nice to separate the two (Santa and Jesus birth) to give Jesus birth a little more attention. Thanks.

[GypsyBob]

The commercialization of Christmas is a reflection of political/ideological axis that exists between capitalism and christianity.

There is NO WAY you are gonna get by w/out justifying those comments. So go ahead.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[The Energizer]

I'll add a modest request: Make it a point to put the "Madonna & Child" stamp on your Christmas mailings.

Freepers will remember that a few years ago the US Postal Service said they would drop this annual stamp because of (yes, you guessed it) the "separation of church and state." Ever since then, I've made it a point to buy only these stamps for my Christmas card mailings.

It's just another way to be politically incorrect!

[shetlan]

"It's just another way to be politically incorrect!"

I would love a list of some other good PI ideas.