A little bit of extra reading and thought can reveal a few of the evils of Christmas. Here are several that top my list:
1. The Christian Christmas tradition finds its roots in pagan practice and has at times been misappropriated by Christians to oppress other people, especially those in the Jewish community.
2. Christmas is becoming increasingly secular and even a public nativity scene can now be defended in the American courts as a non-religious display because of the intended economic implications of the holiday.
3. Christmas is hard on the environment with all the tree-chopping, gift wrapping, extra-large-plastic-and-Styrofoam packaging, lights, and general garbage that is generated by the festivities.
4. Christmas accentuates the feeling of loneliness and depression by highlighting the difference between the have and have-nots of society.
5. Christmas adds clutter and unnecessary complexity to our lives through all the useless gifts that people give us that then require storage or eventual disposal.
6. Christmas is an excuse for gluttonous behaviour in a world that is hungry.

So, why do you celebrate Christmas?

Are Christians supposed to be different? How? From what?

A 2001 Barna poll in the United States found that amongst 'born-again' Christians, 33% of marriages ended in divorce. Non 'born-again' people - 34%. Not much difference.

Since 1993, 2.4 million teens have signed a pledge through the 'True Love Waits' campaign promising to wait until marriage for sexual intercourse. A 2004 study tracked 12,000 of those teens and found that 88% of them didn't wait. It also found that the rate of STD's in the group that pledged was about the same as the general population.

We could talk about giving, racism and spousal abuse (higher in marriages that emphasize traditional roles). Research shows that Christians are not living very differently from those who do not claim to be Christian.

The Christian faith claims that in Christ we are a new creation, the old has passed the new has come. We claim that the Holy Spirit of God lives in us and gives us everything we need for life and godliness. We are to be holy because God is holy.

So, what's the difference?

Just call me Gladys.

I've been more & more aware lately of how ugly the words "status quo" can be. I hate the idea of existing - as opposed to living - I want to happen to life rather than let it happen to me. So, hey, I'm trying to be not so comfortable. All of a sudden, I feel a bit like Mrs Kravitz (from Bewitched - I know - I'm dating myself!) We moved to a new neighborhood, and I'm out there talking to people I've never met before, inviting people in for a drink, planning a BBQ/nosh party so all who live here & care to participate can make some new friends. Being shy (really) this is so not my deal. But I've been there - and not just in a new neighborhood. I've started fresh - from ground zero - friends, church, job....nothing left but to look ahead, cuz what I've left is a black hole. I've sorta freaked myself out with all this, but I don't want to back out. So when you see me, you'll know what the white knuckles are all about. Be kind.