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I am a social worker by
trade. However, my real life’s work is community
activism, social justice and political awareness. I’m
married to a wonderful man, have three children and work
with wonderful people in my community to help create a
better more informed society.
Christmas is a time
of peace and joy, right? Well that depends on who you’re
asking. So, what is this thing called Christmas?
Traditionally, Christmas has been said to be the day
Jesus was born. Myth. Scripturally and scientifically it
has been proven that Christ could not have been born in
December.
Further research
leads us to conclude that the origin of Christmas is
rooted in idolatry and paganism. The pagans celebrated
the winter solstice as the Unconquered Sun. After this
day, the Sun would begin to stay in the sky longer each
day, and there would be less cold, and less night; the
Sun would win the battle of night and day. There would
be feasts, evergreens would be brought into the house to
be decorated and lighted with candles to pay tribute to
the Sun.
Both the Sun
worshipers and the Christians saw the solstice/birthday
as a transition from darkness to light. Christ conquered
the darkness, as did the Sun. Since the theme was
similar, the traditions of one blended well with the
other.
Clear instructions
are given to Christians about idol worshipping in
Jeremiah 10. In a country where religion is used to
enslave human beings for economic gain, it certainly
stands to reason that the exploitation of American
citizens through religious fervor and commercialization
would blend.
As we gasp for air
beneath the pre-Christmas avalanche of retailers
battling for the pounds in our pockets, this fine
yuletide tradition is followed closely by yet another
great tradition: the annual debt. Retailers get about a
quarter of their revenue during this period. The
complete control of people has been and will always be
through means of advertising. The company, group or
organization that is most effective in capturing the
minds of the masses with their advertising schemes wins
the “coin in the fishes’ mouth.”
In a span of about
three minutes I saw six commercials advertising the “joy
of the season”, the spirit of giving, sharing, caring
and a whole host of so-called expressions of holiday
cheer. The season for giving may well also be a season
of financial peril for many families this year. Why are
we going in debt for one day?
Maybe if we were all
a little more realistic and a lot less materialistic,
this wouldn't even be an issue. Holiday symbols are used
both to dramatize and to ritualize shopping. Holidays
and festivals are superb commercial opportunities for
greedy merchants, legal money launderers, gospel
manipulators. We run out and spend money we don't have
on stuff we don't need.
The solution to this
problem is a no-brainer. Stop trying to keep up with the
Joneses. It's just keeping you down. A word to the wise,
The Sayings of Amon Ra urges us to “Guard against habit,
overindulgence and lack of self-control.” Don’t let the
greedy merchants steal your Christ.
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