Consumerism has gone too far. Christmas is a christian holiday celebrating the birth of the savior Jesus Christ. The gift giving was symbolic of the three wise men who came afar bearing gifts for baby Jesus. Somewhere along the way our greedy nature took over and it became more and more about giving and receiving gifts than it was about the celebration of Jesus.
Along came the legend of Santa and eventually the increasing presence of marketing and whamo! People who don't even believe in Jesus celebrate Christmas because it is a time to relax with family and give and get presents.
I have no problems with spending time with family and giving and receiving gifts, but go to a store and you wouldn't know what Christmas is really about. I worked at a retail store for 6 years and I felt myself hating Christmas. Hating it for what it has become, not for what it is supposed to be. Seeing all the people rushing about trying to get the perfect present for everyone on their list, while I'm supposed to be pushing merchandise out the door. It has become about which retailer can make the most money, who can look good by giving the biggest, most expensive and largest quantity of gifts, or who got the best gifts given to them.
I fall for the hype myself. I spend more time worrying about what to buy, and if they will like the presents, or if I will get what I want, than I do refleting on the true meaning of Christmas. And I hate myself for doing it.
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