Unscrambling Christmas

There's something deeply wrong with the idea that people have to bust down doors at 4 a.m. to shop. This is the sort of thing that really gets my goat at the holidays. It's the total and complete exploitation of Christmas. People running to Walmart or the mall, and standing on outdoor lines before 8 a.m. need to get their heads examined, as far as I'm concerned. Getting the Wii for little Johnny, or the green jingly napkin holders that are marked down to $1 for ten minutes is so far removed from the point of it all.

Last week I went to the Sun Vet Mall, and no one was there. It was like they opened the place just for me. I was so happy, but the vendors weren't.

I'm a lot like a squirrel when it comes to holiday shopping. I pick up things here and there throughout the year. My husband, on the other hand, window shops until Christmas Eve. I don't know how anyone can stand to shop on that day. I worked with a man once who had a great idea about gift giving. He is Greek Orthodox. He exchanges gifts with his kids and family on the Epiphany, or little Christmas, so on December 25th the family can focus on church and each other. I think that's a fine idea, if you can train your kids to do it.

This year I'm hosting Christmas at my house, which will be nice, since the kids can spend the day playing with their new toys at home. I'm trying to keep myself away from that media frenzy feeling that drives me crazy. It's enough to make even the most jolly of us despise the holiday season.

I refuse to be one of the herd of brainless people that is willing to trample others to buy Britney Spears' new CD, or $10 fondue sets at 5 a.m. The stores are to blame for feeding the mob. It's Jesus' birthday, people. Get a grip. All He wants you to give is some of your time to others. Often, that is an uncomfortable or inconvenient sacrifice. There's no wrapping required, but it still is, by far, the hardest gift to give.