The New "Bah Humbug!"

More and more I hear people say how they don't bother with Christmas. It's too much fuss. The latest buzzword I've heard over the last month is how they are just going to "chill."

"Chill" may be the new "Bah humbug!"

It's sad, really. No matter whether you think Jesus was the saviour of the universe, a metaphysical metaphor concocted by St. Paul or a fabrication of the Roman Empire to control people... The essence of the Christmas story reminds humanity that true meaning in life comes through responsibility, sacrifice, service and giving to others.

Instead, our increasingly hedonistic, materialistic, and nihilistic society would much rather spend the holidays glued to their screen of choice, eating take out and sending Amazon gifts certificates from their smartphone. And people have become so woke that they actually think such self-serving behaviour is virtuous.

This year, with the passing of my wife, I was tempted to just cancel Christmas. Instead, I've done my best: A pile of humble gifts are wrapped. I expect to have a tree up soon (I had a painful accident on Thursday, so have been out of order). And we'll have family over for Christmas dinner like usual.

Is it a lot of work? Yeah. So, what? Anything meaningful and worthwhile is. I'm all for a minimalist Christmas, but it's no time to chill. Isn't that what St. Stephen's Day (AKA Boxing Day) is for?

Stay sane, stay real,

John C. A. Manley

PS And, as a last reminder, there's still time to order copies of Much Ado About Corona as last-minute Christmas gifts — guaranteed to either delight, challenge or disturb your family and friends.

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