Moby, an extremely liberal Christian, has this interesting take on Christmas. I got it from his website which Spin led me too. - OlderMusicGeek
as for christmas, i hope that everyone has a wonderful christmas, regardless of how you choose to celebrate it (or not celebrate it).
i always hope that somehow we can see past the fun and awesome pagan trappings of christmas (trees, mistletoe, december 25th, candy canes, etc) to remember that on christmas we celebrate the birthday (even if jesus wasn't actually born anywhere near december 25th) of a man who wanted us all to be more forgiving, more compassionate, less judgemental, less violent, and less materialistic.
ultimately christmas is about celebrating the birthday of a man who wanted us to love one another and to look after one another regardless of our religious or political or ethnic or gender differences.
thanks, and merry christmas.
moby
Friday, December 22, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
CULTURE/SOCIETY: A Christmas Questionaire
Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill.
Don't be a scrooge!!!!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate - egg nog makes me sick to my stomach. But I actually prefer hot cider - love the stuff.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He just sets them under the tree. When does he have time to wrap them.
3. Colored lights or white lights on the tree/house? Oh, colored definitely, the more, the better. And one of these days, one with flashing patterns.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Never have. Seems kind of weird - and don't want to have to kiss somebody i don't want to.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Friday after Thanksgiving. Have tried to do it a little later - and my daughter would have NONE of that!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish… anything I don't have to prepare!
7. What is your favorite Holiday memory as a child? Can't think of any particular one off the top of my head. After I send this, I'll probably think of a whole bunch I should have listed. But I just remember the excitement of being in bed waiting and knowing it's too early to wake up my parents. And the excitement of seeing the presents and opening the ones my parents and family got me.
I do remember one year when I was invited out on a Christmas Eve outing by friends. My mother said I could go, but Christmas morning was going to start the usual time because my brother's young daughter was there.
Well, we got home after midnight. And I remember being woken up to a young girl bouncing on my bed yelling, "Get up! It's Christmas morning!" I have a feeling a certain mother instructed her how to wake my brother and I.
And when I was in Africa, there was a family on the Zimbabwean campground I was at that invited me to join them for their picnic. (It's summer south of the equator at this time.) That was fun. I remember the guy playing a bunch of Beatles tunes on his acoustic guitar.
And my ex-fiancee and I would always visit her dad, who would slaughter a goat for the occasion.8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly can't remember. I have tried to remember and don't. It must have been very traumatic and a piece-by-piece suspicion and realization. I pretty sure when my mom told me, it was confirming what I pretty much already knew.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My daughter can open just one.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Most people hate it. We put a ton of those metal ice cycles on it. Four strings on tinsel - white, gold, green and red. A ton of ornaments, most shining. And lights. It looks tacky in the day, but looks cool at night with reflections everywhere.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I hate snow. I never missed the Iowa winters when I lived in Africa for six years. But it's nice for my daughter because she loves the snow.
12. Can you ice skate? Kinda sorta. Don't fall on my butt too much.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Off the top of my head. no. Maybe I'll come up with something later. Though a couple of years ago, I got a great collection of bluegrass Christmas tunes.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with the family, especially my daughter and my mom.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Any I don't make to make.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? As a kid, I loved singing Christmas carols with the family. Now, it's putting up the tree with my daughter the day after Thanksgiving. We dig out the Christmas tunes. And I always play first this kick-butt rocking version of Jingle Bells I taped off the radio decades ago. The Christmas season doesn't start for until I hear that. Just wish I knew who did it
17. What tops your tree? A star we bought at my brother's garage sale.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. What kind of greedy jerk prefers recieving. Don't want to know that person.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas by Bing. I'm a bit of a tradionalist. But not that much of one, because I'm very proud of my collection of Christmas punk rock songs.
20. Candy Canes! I like them, but I prefer the chocolate candy.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
CULTURE/SOCIETY: Is Santa Claus A Phallic Symbol?
Well last year, a lot of people got in a huff because I suggested Santa Claus was a vampire. (Good thing I've never explained how Dr Frankenstein created the Easter Bunny - Has to do with brain transfers.) So just to show I'm not THAT bad, I'm presenting what this fellow thinks of Santa Claus... - OlderMusicGeek
Is Santa Claus A Phallic Symbol?
by Nick Yee
Coming from a Hong Kong school system which emphasized rote memory, stressful testing situations, and very rigorous quantitative skills, while de-emphasizing creativity, individual growth, and self-exploration, my American boarding school experience was like a whole new world. And not too unexpectedly, I resisted attempts in English classes to read too deep into the text and into "hidden symbolisms". Not that they don't exist, but that it seemed to be much in the eye of the beholder.
During those last two years of English literature, I always wanted to articulate why there was something very dangerous in reading too deeply, and I think I found it in Santa Claus. Why?
Because Santa Claus is very obviously a phallic symbol of fertility. Let us start with his appearance. He is dressed in red, and characterized as chubby if not outright engorged. His otherwise rosy face is covered with a thick mat of white hair. How much more can the penis be represented in a mythical character? During Christmastime, he climbs down chimneys to deliver presents. Chimneys are long and dark orifices to the home, which is a symbol of nurturance and also femininity. Chimneys are also connected to fireplaces and thus there is also an implication of smoldering warmth that is connected with this long and dark passage that is obviously a representation of the female vagina.
Santa Claus, a phallic symbol, now has to slip through the chimney, a symbolic representation of the vagina, to enter the house, a place saturated with femininity. Once inside, he has to deliver small gifts that he has created to place under the Christmas tree. The presents are obviously representing the male sperm. And the Christmas tree, in its classical triangular shape, is a female symbol that is ornamented with metallic jewellery and decorated with colorful swirls. Santa Claus then places his presents under the skirts of the Christmas tree, accomplishing the symbolic sexual intercourse.
And so, the next time you tell young children about Santa Claus, realize what you're really telling them is about pure and uninhibited sex.
Other Christmas blog entries
Is Santa Claus A Phallic Symbol?
by Nick Yee
Coming from a Hong Kong school system which emphasized rote memory, stressful testing situations, and very rigorous quantitative skills, while de-emphasizing creativity, individual growth, and self-exploration, my American boarding school experience was like a whole new world. And not too unexpectedly, I resisted attempts in English classes to read too deep into the text and into "hidden symbolisms". Not that they don't exist, but that it seemed to be much in the eye of the beholder.
During those last two years of English literature, I always wanted to articulate why there was something very dangerous in reading too deeply, and I think I found it in Santa Claus. Why?
Because Santa Claus is very obviously a phallic symbol of fertility. Let us start with his appearance. He is dressed in red, and characterized as chubby if not outright engorged. His otherwise rosy face is covered with a thick mat of white hair. How much more can the penis be represented in a mythical character? During Christmastime, he climbs down chimneys to deliver presents. Chimneys are long and dark orifices to the home, which is a symbol of nurturance and also femininity. Chimneys are also connected to fireplaces and thus there is also an implication of smoldering warmth that is connected with this long and dark passage that is obviously a representation of the female vagina.
Santa Claus, a phallic symbol, now has to slip through the chimney, a symbolic representation of the vagina, to enter the house, a place saturated with femininity. Once inside, he has to deliver small gifts that he has created to place under the Christmas tree. The presents are obviously representing the male sperm. And the Christmas tree, in its classical triangular shape, is a female symbol that is ornamented with metallic jewellery and decorated with colorful swirls. Santa Claus then places his presents under the skirts of the Christmas tree, accomplishing the symbolic sexual intercourse.
And so, the next time you tell young children about Santa Claus, realize what you're really telling them is about pure and uninhibited sex.
Other Christmas blog entries
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
CULTURE/SOCIETY and SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION: A Christmas Inquiry
Just a little Christmas inquiry -
If people are willing to believe some radical Jewish pacifist was the son of the Jewish god and the warrior king predicted in the Old Testament as well as believe he did a much of magic tricks, why can't they believe a fat man brings gifts around the world in a sled pulled by eight tiny reindeer?
Just thought I'd ask.
Other Christmas blog entries
If people are willing to believe some radical Jewish pacifist was the son of the Jewish god and the warrior king predicted in the Old Testament as well as believe he did a much of magic tricks, why can't they believe a fat man brings gifts around the world in a sled pulled by eight tiny reindeer?
Just thought I'd ask.
Other Christmas blog entries
CULTURE/SOCIETY: A Wonderful Christmas Story from a Wiccan
This is the current entry on The Sassy Witch's blog. I think it speaks for itself. - OlderMusicGeek
Monday, December 11, 2006
doing a good deed
Okay, I wrote a letter to a local radio station that grants Christmas wishes. I wrote about my daughter's friend who was in foster care and when she aged out her foster parents kicked her out. She moved about for a couple weeks and then one day needed a ride to work (she can't drive due to an eye condition). I took her to work and from there she just kind of moved in. She stayed with us most of the summer and walked to work in 98 degree weather 6 miles to get to work. I would pick her up at night.
I had her save her money all summer and by mid August we were ready to apartment hunt. We looked at some terrible places and in some bad neighborhoods. One place we looked at was really cheap. I found out why. It was horrible. I took one look and looked at the girls and said, "get in the car." We finally found a wonderful apartment in a renovated house. It was very cute and I saw lots of potential. We got to paint it before she moved in. It was great. September first she officially moved in and I remember her first night we left her there she was crying and hugging my daughter. I understand what it is like to be young and on your own for the first time. It is scary. I told her we were not far away and she is still a part of our family. Since then she is doing much better and not so scared.
Anyway, I wrote a letter because she desperately needs an eye exam and new glasses and I know that is not in her budget right now. I also wished she could have a recliner or loveseat to sit on besides my two lawn chairs or the floor. I wrote about all she had been through and how hard she is working to be successful but there were still things she could use some help with.
The radio station called me and said they were going to get her that eye exam and glasses, a gift certificate to the mall for work clothes and a limo to drive her there since she doesn't drive. Also, she got her choice of a loveseat or recliner. They weren't done yet. They also got her a one year bus pass since she rides the public bus to and from work! I was speechless! I was so happy they were doing all this for her!
Today was the first of the gifts. I picked her up and took her to lunch (chinese). We went to the furniture store and the lady said we had 400.00 to work with. We found a loveseat that was also a double recliner. It was very soft (microfiber) and in the price range. The lady who was helping us said that she wanted to accessorize the loveseat. She gathered three decorative throw pillows, a silk sofa shawl, three picture frames and a small table with four shelves and wicker baskets on the shelves! I was blown away by her generosity! I kept thanking her and Daniell who is rather timid and shy was staring wide eyed at everything. She wispered to me at one point, "This is more than we were suppose to get." I wispered back, "Just go with it!" The radio station sent over some people to load it all in a van and take it to her apartment. They carried it up the stairs and set it up for her. They took some pictures and we shook their hands and thanked them. It was so great all they did to make her Christmas. I am so happy for her. I love her like another daughter and no one I could think of deserves this more than she.
Next stop is the mall and eye doctor. She has an appointment on January 7th and my daughter and I get to go with her in the limo to the mall! I want to be there for her eye appointment and hear what the doctor has to say. I'm so happy for her! She laughed at me and said, "You're so giddy I think you are more excited than I am." I said, "No, I just show my emotions more than most people." She laughed at me and gave me a big hug and said thanks for making her Christmas so special. It was worth it just to see the smile on her face and the look in her eyes. She just kept saying, "WOW."
posted by Sassy Witch @ Monday, December 11, 2006 0 comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
doing a good deed
Okay, I wrote a letter to a local radio station that grants Christmas wishes. I wrote about my daughter's friend who was in foster care and when she aged out her foster parents kicked her out. She moved about for a couple weeks and then one day needed a ride to work (she can't drive due to an eye condition). I took her to work and from there she just kind of moved in. She stayed with us most of the summer and walked to work in 98 degree weather 6 miles to get to work. I would pick her up at night.
I had her save her money all summer and by mid August we were ready to apartment hunt. We looked at some terrible places and in some bad neighborhoods. One place we looked at was really cheap. I found out why. It was horrible. I took one look and looked at the girls and said, "get in the car." We finally found a wonderful apartment in a renovated house. It was very cute and I saw lots of potential. We got to paint it before she moved in. It was great. September first she officially moved in and I remember her first night we left her there she was crying and hugging my daughter. I understand what it is like to be young and on your own for the first time. It is scary. I told her we were not far away and she is still a part of our family. Since then she is doing much better and not so scared.
Anyway, I wrote a letter because she desperately needs an eye exam and new glasses and I know that is not in her budget right now. I also wished she could have a recliner or loveseat to sit on besides my two lawn chairs or the floor. I wrote about all she had been through and how hard she is working to be successful but there were still things she could use some help with.
The radio station called me and said they were going to get her that eye exam and glasses, a gift certificate to the mall for work clothes and a limo to drive her there since she doesn't drive. Also, she got her choice of a loveseat or recliner. They weren't done yet. They also got her a one year bus pass since she rides the public bus to and from work! I was speechless! I was so happy they were doing all this for her!
Today was the first of the gifts. I picked her up and took her to lunch (chinese). We went to the furniture store and the lady said we had 400.00 to work with. We found a loveseat that was also a double recliner. It was very soft (microfiber) and in the price range. The lady who was helping us said that she wanted to accessorize the loveseat. She gathered three decorative throw pillows, a silk sofa shawl, three picture frames and a small table with four shelves and wicker baskets on the shelves! I was blown away by her generosity! I kept thanking her and Daniell who is rather timid and shy was staring wide eyed at everything. She wispered to me at one point, "This is more than we were suppose to get." I wispered back, "Just go with it!" The radio station sent over some people to load it all in a van and take it to her apartment. They carried it up the stairs and set it up for her. They took some pictures and we shook their hands and thanked them. It was so great all they did to make her Christmas. I am so happy for her. I love her like another daughter and no one I could think of deserves this more than she.
Next stop is the mall and eye doctor. She has an appointment on January 7th and my daughter and I get to go with her in the limo to the mall! I want to be there for her eye appointment and hear what the doctor has to say. I'm so happy for her! She laughed at me and said, "You're so giddy I think you are more excited than I am." I said, "No, I just show my emotions more than most people." She laughed at me and gave me a big hug and said thanks for making her Christmas so special. It was worth it just to see the smile on her face and the look in her eyes. She just kept saying, "WOW."
posted by Sassy Witch @ Monday, December 11, 2006 0 comments