Oh yeah, Merry Christmas

I almost forgot. Merry Christmas.

Whatever that means.

Be Merry when you're giving gifts. Be Merry receiving them.

Christmas sure has changed over the years. It used to be the most magical, wonderful time of the year, when we'd get presents and sing songs and have special meals and ... well, when we'd get presents. That's the over-riding activity.

Gradually, the truth sunk in. Christmas is a farce. You learn that the religionistas stole the holiday from the pagans, the tree from the Germans (or was it the Swedes?) and various of the other holiday "traditions" from other cultures. The birthday of Jesus?

Not likely.

And then it becomes a blatant corporate sales pitch. The holiday season accounts for up to 40% of retailers annual sales. Without the Christmas season, a lot of our retailers might go out of business. And this year, they need you out there shopping like never before.

The endless Christmas songs. The advertisements on TV and radio pulling you into the stores, pulling at your heartstrings, pulling a tear from your eye.

The Disney Christmas parade sings their cutesy songs, "Get a gift for your Mother. Get a gift for your Dad. Get a gift for your brother. And your sister. Get a gift for your friends, and your neighbors."

GET A GIFT FOR SOMEBODY, DAMMIT!

A lot of people take this holiday "seriously," and by that they purport to mean that they go the extra mile to look after their fellow man, to help feed the hungry and give comfort to the afflicted. Apparently, these things are among the teachings of Jesus. Some of these people do these activities year-round. Others volunteer only during this time of year. It certainly is a shame that we can't extend the "peace on earth" and "goodwill to your fellow man" to more than just one month out of the year. What kind of world could we have?

So, count me in the bah humbug category, I guess. I don't adhere to the God myths that propel the season, and yet I participate in the gift-giving. Hey, I never said I was a purist.

Christmas is all about the kids. And the toys. And the retailers. So get out there and spur the economy. Oh, am I a little late? Hey, better late than never.

Reason's Greetings, everyone.