Christmas that keep America economically strong.
Christmas has a huge positive impact on other aspects of our culture. People are nicer and more tolerant. There have been truces and cease fire’s called during times of war for the sake of Christmas. More than half the charitable donations collected for ALL organizations in the US roll in during the Christmas season. Yes, I know, some of that has to do with end of year tax breaks, but it also has to do with Salvation Army red kettles, angle trees, and Goodwill donations. It’s a time of year when people feel a greater sense of social conscience and charitable organizations benefit from that feeling of good will. Too bad we don’t pony up all year through the way we do at Christmas.
What’s wrong with people paying more attention to each other, or with being delighted by the decorations and the music? Let’s cover our yards with blow up Santas and mechanical reindeer. Let’s turn our living rooms into little magical wonderlands of jolly old elves and candles and angels. Maybe if we spent more time getting in touch with the kid in ourselves we wouldn’t have so much interest in polluting the planet and killing people who have different political or religious views than we do. Who cares why we have this expanded consciousness of good will? Whether it comes from a belief in a particular God (or gods) or whether it is simply a willingness to open ourselves up to the most benevolent parts of our nature, what difference does it make? IT’S ALL MADE UP! Anything that elevates man’s humanity to man is a GOOD thing, no matter where it comes from!
Now, about that family stuff. I know it can be a pain in the ass. But, you know what? At some core level, we all long for a