Christmas 2017 Has Come and Gone

Welcome to our article (117) Christmas has come and gone

Dear readers, this is the end of year 2017. Christmas has come and gone and, in a day, or two also the New Year festivities will be over, I was looking for some good time that this season brings with it, but this year for me these festivities did not mean much. So, I am asking myself, whether there is something wrong with me, because of my old age? Perhaps, it is just me that see these happenings less joyful than they used to be? Or perhaps things are changing, so, we need to look at what is happening. What strikes me most is that the religious feast of the birth of our lord Jesus Christ, does not seem as important as it used to be. Perhaps are the signs of the time, as we can see from some news that are going around. Having said that, now but let us talk about Christmas and compare it, how it was and how we see Christmas today.

When we look at all the things that are happening, or are supposed to happen at Christmas time, we know that Christmas should be the best time of the year for us, since it has been set up like that, so, we all seem to be waiting for it, for one reason or another, the grown up because of the holiday time and other things. But as we know it is important for the children, since we have invented this Father Christmas (Santa Claus), that brings presents to them, so, they are waiting for Christmas day to receive these presents from Santa.

The setup of this presents from Santa is very strange, because after all the parents play the part of Santa Claus, but the children should believe that Santa has given the presents to them, because they have been good during the year. So, the whole thing is a big fat lie, but we keep doing it year after year.

Then there are all these religious traditions to follow, which one could ask whether they are lies as well. Anyhow, the Christian churches have said the usual Mess of midnight as usual, the pope has said this Mess at Sant Peter Basilica and preached whatever was appropriate to say and do, so all seems well on the surface, but there are rumour going around, which makes me think that not everything is well. Anyhow, attached to this feast of Christmas there are other traditions connected to it. You see, most people have holydays during this time of the year, anyhow, the entire setup results in a busy and enjoyable time for everybody. Which is good, but then again, one would ask questions, because of the changing time around us today, so, let us look at what Christmas could mean today, in this changing world.

But today I am alarmed, so, I am asking myself whether Christmas is on the way out, because of things I have noticed. I know that what I am saying now is bad news for most of us, because Christmas is supposed to be a very joyful time of the year, because it influences every one of us in a positive way, but there are the first signs that all is not well. So, let us look at these signs. Some of these signs we can see in the news, and other multimedia, sites like face book and others.

Just to mention a few, on Face-book the other day there was this short video, where the speaker was saying that in the in the state schools of Australia, children are not supposed to talk about Christianity, even on the playground, because state schools should not teach religions of any sort, or so I was understanding that message. Now, this is the time of the year when Christmas is celebrated, so, it is hard for children not to talk about this happy Christmas event, just because it might upset other children of different religions. But here we are talking about traditions that have been going on for many generations, why we should stop talking about them now? After all, the Christian religion, is still the largest religion in this country, so, why worry about the minority. These are good traditions that people enjoy, why we must upset them, one may ask?

What I have said above is just one example, now, the other day I noted on the internet, that in Italy some towns are not going to display the nativity scene publicly, because it might upset some other religious people. My views on this is that the world seems to go crazy, where strange things happen, these days even the nativity scene is on the way out and could not be used anymore.

I believe that what is happening is not right, and all existing religions must tolerate each other, if that is not possible; then it could be necessary to suggest and do a few things that would put all religions on the same level. I pray and hope that there is a way to do that, without upsetting many people. Otherwise the feast of Christmas might be on the way out.

I believe that I have said enough in this article. So, I am moving on neutral grounds and wish all my readers a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

See you soon.