COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 279

 It's the second day of Christmas. No matter what anyone tells you, Christmas is NOT over. Tomorrow, I am going to light the candles on the Advent wreath for the last time, and then I will put it away. I will probably put a few other things away to straighten up the house. Still, there are 12 days of Christmas, people! So, this year, I spent Christmas with my mother; the wife had to work. It was a good Christmas all around, though. 

Speaking of Christmas, I saw something that really annoyed me. I passed by the Greek Orthodox church next to Loretto Hospital. On the church's property, there was a mailbox that said "Santa's Letters." This reminded me of when I was a child and there was a deacon who dressed up as a Santa Claus and children lined up in the church to see him. This made me angry even as a child, since my mother, who was mortified at the idea of lying to me, never indulged me in the belief of Santa Claus. She taught me that if I were good to make a list of things I wanted, and SHE would buy them. She made it clear to me that Christmas was not about presents, Santa Claus, or even family gatherings. She taught me that Jesus, and Jesus alone, it is the reason for the season. Thanks, Mom! Now, if you are a parent who wants to teach your children about Santa Claus, that's your business. Still, when they come to know that Santa is not real, they might question all other beliefs you are teaching them. 

Anyway, the last place to teach Santa Claus is the church! Nothing secular belongs in churches, friends! A church is a hospital from the secular world; why bring poison and weapons into a hospital? You might as well tell children that Christmas is not about Jesus at all! You might as well advertise toys in the church and let FAO Schwartz and Fisher Price provide sponsorship to the church! This is why so many people, Christians especially, are disheartened by Christmas. It is no longer about peace and goodwill. It is about consumerism and elitism. Just look at how Black Friday was before COVID-19. And I don't care what James Brown said; Santa Claus does not go straight to the "ghetto"! Poor children don't get the junk they see on the telly, they get picked on at school because of it, and their parents are made to feel bad. Just look at the little brat in the movie "Jingle all the Way." Christian radio stations are no better. I will not even listen to the music on these stations because they insist on including secular Christmas songs. If I want to listen to Jingle Bells or Winter Wonderland, I can go to dozens of other stations on the radio. When I tune into a Christian station, I want O Holy Night, Mary, Did You Know, or The Angel Gabriel.  

I wish to conclude with something completely unrelated, and I don't mean any disrespect, but I need to get this off of my chest. Women. I can't bloody understand you!!! I have lived with women (my wife and mother), I have worked with, and for, women, and I have worshipped with women. I see women on the street all the time of all ethnicities, colors, nationalities, classes, and professions, and I can't understand any of them. In fact, the only women I have ever come close to understanding are women over 50 or non-American women. Yes, American women between the ages of 13 and 50 are the most complex, and it gets really frustrating sometimes. Can I get an amen from the guys? Even the most educated, eccentric, or rebellious men are not so difficult to figure out. When we say yes, we mean it. When we say no, we mean it. We don't question every little thing someone is doing. If it looks like they are not fubaring it, we leave them be. If we make an agreement, we keep it, and it is no longer up for discussion. Most of us try to live by reason, and when we disrespect someone, we either make retribution, or we expect proverbial karma. Maybe I am asking too much to fully understand women, but sometimes women need to understand us more. Sometimes women complain about what men are not giving, but they forget what they are not giving. It works two ways, ladies. A good man will continue to give when he is not getting, but even good men have limits. You have boundaries and feelings, and so do we. If you can't honor ours, why should you expect us to honor yours? (PS: If you have a man who won't work, won't help keep up the house, and won't pick up after himself, this does not apply to you completely.) While nearly all men don't know how to keep a woman content, keeping a man content is simple. All we need is peace and quiet when we come home, no nagging, no picking fights, encouragement (celebrate our manhood), a home-cooked meal (if you can cook), and, if you are married, the other thing. Give all of these things to a good man, and he will stay content and devoted to you. In essence, ladies, give us a break. After all, being a man in this culture is not an easy task. 

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year

--Signing off.