Merry Christmas to all of you, may God bless. Yes, the
day is upon us once again - Christmas. It’s truly a great wonder of the Western
World. Disguised as a celebration of the Earthly birth of our Lord & Savior
Jesus Christ, it has become one of Capitalism’s greatest commercial success
stories. Capitalism rules. Christmas Season profits are what keep most stores
in business.
Capitalism and Free Trade are magnificent wonders that
allow human creativity to flourish, but when these principles and philosophies
are unethically or immorally manipulated and used, they deter our once sacred
Christian Concepts and Philosophy. Economic freedom should not trade on lies or
greed or false notions. It should not sinfully manipulate vulnerable potential
purchasers either.
Commercialism now far overshadows Jesus Christ Himself
during His own Holiday Season. How? Santa, reindeer, abundant gifts, events, pretty
lights, family time, food, travel, tv, and entertainment have placed the true “Reason
For The Season” (Jesus’ Earthly birth) in the background.
It would be great to spiritually honor the birth of Jesus
Christ in a special way, but unfortunately the way we now do it is nowhere in
the Holy Bible. There is no record of Jesus’ birth being celebrated on a
specific day yearly by even His closest Disciples/Apostles. In fact, Jesus ordered
them and us to celebrate “The Lord’s Supper” perpetually, but never a “formal”
celebration of His birth on a certain day.
It also seems to me that when Jesus was almost 2
years-old, the Magi (“Wise Men,”) brought HIM presents (No, they were not at
the manger, they arrived much, much later and spoke with Herod.) They did not
go around offering gifts to their friends and family – but to The Lord Himself.
Hmmmmmm.
Enter Capitalism. We now have expanded the notion of
gift-giving to include everyone and even feel benevolent when we do it! (Of
course we all like giving & receiving gifts, I have even needed them, but
why do we do it falsely under the guise of Christmas?) Why not do it year-round
or every once in a while?
Think of all the economic activity that takes place
between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day (2 other commercialized holidays). It
is astounding. The parties, travel, consumer purchases, services, company
events and promotions, media shows and programs, marketing & advertising,
eating-out, drinking, and on and on. If Commercialism was a person, he would be
considered a master marketing genius!
Imagine if we spent even half as much effort into the
real or true Christmas as we do the commercialized holiday? That would be one
great holiday season that I would enjoy being a part of, versus the fraud we
are all living with now…
Jimmy
Hall
(404-580-1501) is a professional business writer and consultant, available to
write and e-mail business plans, resumes, web content, letters, and other
projects.
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