A Modest Proposal
I propose we move "Christmas" to January 19th, which is "Epiphany" for those who deal in Christianity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)
I propose this for several reasons.
1) It is the day that Jesus becomes "the son of god", so really, isn't that his "birthday"?
2) It gives an extra two weeks to the shopping season, allows breathing room for those who have other holiday obligations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_and_holiday_season
3) It extends the season of light into a time typically seen as dark.
4) Makes only six weeks to March, so Spring is closer for the SAD sufferers.
5) Makes the travel stuff not so cramped, you have several weeks to attempt to avoid being tortured by relatives rather than jamming it all into the Thanksgiving four week spread.
6) It takes it out of the frenetic and puts it back into the proper context.
7) I was raised a Secular Humanist, I enjoy the sentiments, but would like to not have the "Christian" stuff be the be all, end all in the media, by taking it out of December to allow the other religious holidays to shine... I especially think that Festivus needs more promotion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winter_festivals
I only do the gift/card thing for those that believe so strongly in it that not to do it hurts their feelings. For everyone else, I give gifts throughout the year, for no reason other than I love them and appreciate the joy they bring into my life daily.
To all of you on LJ and elsewhere,
Thank you for being in my life, no matter how small the contact.
You bring joy and light to me with your words.
You make me laugh when I need laughter.
You make me think when I need to be aware.
You motivate me to be a better person.
You help me see things that my blinders hide.
You force me to look deep and to grow with each new bit of enlightenment.
Thank you.
I propose this for several reasons.
1) It is the day that Jesus becomes "the son of god", so really, isn't that his "birthday"?
2) It gives an extra two weeks to the shopping season, allows breathing room for those who have other holiday obligations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_and_holiday_season
3) It extends the season of light into a time typically seen as dark.
4) Makes only six weeks to March, so Spring is closer for the SAD sufferers.
5) Makes the travel stuff not so cramped, you have several weeks to attempt to avoid being tortured by relatives rather than jamming it all into the Thanksgiving four week spread.
6) It takes it out of the frenetic and puts it back into the proper context.
7) I was raised a Secular Humanist, I enjoy the sentiments, but would like to not have the "Christian" stuff be the be all, end all in the media, by taking it out of December to allow the other religious holidays to shine... I especially think that Festivus needs more promotion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winter_festivals
I only do the gift/card thing for those that believe so strongly in it that not to do it hurts their feelings. For everyone else, I give gifts throughout the year, for no reason other than I love them and appreciate the joy they bring into my life daily.
To all of you on LJ and elsewhere,
Thank you for being in my life, no matter how small the contact.
You bring joy and light to me with your words.
You make me laugh when I need laughter.
You make me think when I need to be aware.
You motivate me to be a better person.
You help me see things that my blinders hide.
You force me to look deep and to grow with each new bit of enlightenment.
Thank you.