Point #1: Is it wrong to want something--some item or experience? For instance, is it wrong to want a new book to read, or a new CD to listen to, or even some candy or a plate of good food? While I can think of times and situations where ONLY wanting some item and voicing that desire might be a bad thing (“Dad, will you please take me to the hospital—my head’s bleeding and I’m getting light-headed…” “Yes, Son, but I WANT to see that last goal again in slow-motion, so hang on for a few minutes…” ), I’m not sure that I can endorse an ultra-ascetic life which promotes the denial of any kind of desire. In my book, to want something is not inherently bad or evil, though I also think it’s a good idea to monitor our wants and what it may cost us (and the world) to get them.

Point #2: Is it wrong to give something to someone—some item or opportunity? For instance, is it wrong to give someone a new book to read, or a new CD to listen to, or even some candy or a plate of good food? While I can think of times and situations where such a deed might be a bad thing (“Dad, my teacher said hemlock is poison, so should I drink this ‘hemlock punch’ you’ve given me…?” “Yes, Son, you’re teacher is a liar and an idiot, so ‘drink up’…” ), I’m not sure that I can honestly criticize someone for wanting to spend some of their livelihood on someone else’s interests and well-being. In my book, to want to give something to someone with their happiness and prosperity at heart is the very definition of “goodness” in our world, or very close to it, as long as the cost of doing so is not too high.

Consideration: So, “western culture” creates a "holiday" on which it is a tradition to indulge in the two aforementioned activities: wanting something, and giving something that is wanted. No matter the initial basis for naming and scheduling such a day on the calendar, no matter the inclusion or exclusion of religious symbolism and spiritual iconology, no matter the adherence to traditional or cultural activities that many folks historically attach to any scheduled “holiday of giving”—what the hell is wrong with having a day in which people give and get presents? So what if “Jesus” isn’t behind and inside every thought of a person who is giving a present to someone and getting some gift in return? So what if "Jesus" is?! The very act of giving to another and graciously receiving from someone else is, in my opinion, a very good thing, provided that such activities aren’t coming at too great a cost. And, no matter how much I wrack my brains and flip through pages, I don't recall any divine being in the New Testament saying, "Thou shalt call this particular day of the year after the name of 'Christ' and do on it only those things that remind you of 'Him.'" Nor do I remember/find anything that says, "Blessed are they who keep 'Christ' in 'Christmas.'" Where did all this hubbub come from?

Conclusion: Frankly, I just roll my eyes at people who rant about this whole “they’ve-taken-‘Christ'-out-of-‘Christmas’!” thing, saying that people are so “lost” and “terrible” and “selfish.” “Selfish”? Really? On a day they are thinking about what others would like or need as a gift, we’re calling it “selfish”? I know a little about how the holiday of “Christmas” came about, and I’ve read the New Testament a few times, and in all of this I’ve never been impressed that any God or Godlike being really cared that much about people giving presents to each other on December 25th. I have been impressed that such a “divine being” may be hurt/offended by someone being mean or cruel to another person on December 25th, but not more offended by it on that day than on any other day of the year. Good Lord, if “the World” sets up a tradition to give gifts on one day of the year, I say more power to it/them/us, “Christ” in “Christmas” or not! If religious folks want to complain about something, complain about evils of the world like intolerance and hatred—things that really hurt others, not just on one day of the year, but all year 'round. But making a big deal out of “they’ve taken ‘Christ’ out of ‘Christmas’?” seems pretty damn silly to me, especially when, as I understand it, any “Christ-like” being would, in truth, praise the practice of giving a gift to another at his personal expense, from a BB-gun to a doll to a piece of candy or a bottle of champagne.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. And, whatever anyone makes of this day, December 25th, I hope it’s a good and enjoyable 24 hours for you and all you care about.

PS. "Bare Necessities" will resume in a couple more days.