Deck the halls with Jingle Bells

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December 2005

Deck the halls with Jingle Bells

Doug Edmonds take a wry look at that time of year, when those who have lost the true spirit of the season try even harder to lure the rest of us away from the original meaning of Yuletide.

It’s become almost a cliché to claim that Christmas has become over-Christianised, that the true commercial spirit of the season has been lost. And yet, that’s just what has happened. Those who would try to drag religion into Christmas have desecrated the sacred nature of the occasion. After all, as the good book says, 'What good is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his profits?'

Here are some useful hints to help you keep the true commercial spirit of Christmas and avoid the over-Christianisation of the season:

Send Christmas cards with pictures of robins in the snow, horse-drawn carriages or gum trees, with no religious significance whatsoever.

Better still, don't send cards at all.

Decorate your Christmas tree (preferably plastic) with tinsel and other non-symbolic bunting – no stars, angels or other heavenly bodies.

If you must go to church, at least half the family should be too busy preparing lunch to attend.

Better still, go away for Christmas.

Tell your children that the Christmas street parade represents the true spirit of the season.

Give your children more expensive gifts than their friends are likely to get.

Never explain why we actually give gifts at Christmas.

Tell your clergy that you don't really like Christmas services because the church is full of people who never come during the rest of the year. (This is especially effective if you attend only occasionally yourself).

Decorate your front door with a plastic Father Christmas head.

Eat and drink too much on Christmas day. After all, that’s what it’s all about isn't it?

Tra la la la la…la la la la!

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				December 2005

		Deck the halls with Jingle Bells Doug Edmonds take a wry look at that time of year, when those who have lost the true spirit of the season try even harder to lure the rest of us away from the original meaning of Yuletide. It’s become almost a cliché to claim that Christmas has become over-Christianised, that the true commercial spirit of the season has been lost. And yet, that’s just what has happened. Those who would try to drag religion into Christmas have desecrated the sacred nature of the occasion. After all, as the good book says, 'What good is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his profits?' Here are some useful hints to help you keep the true commercial spirit of Christmas and avoid the over-Christianisation of the season: Send Christmas cards with pictures of robins in the snow, horse-drawn carriages or gum trees, with no religious significance whatsoever. Better still, don't send cards at all. Decorate your Christmas tree (preferably plastic) with tinsel and other non-symbolic bunting – no stars, angels or other heavenly bodies. If you must go to church, at least half the family should be too busy preparing lunch to attend. Better still, go away for Christmas. Tell your children that the Christmas street parade represents the true spirit of the season. Give your children more expensive gifts than their friends are likely to get. Never explain why we actually give gifts at Christmas. Tell your clergy that you don't really like Christmas services because the church is full of people who never come during the rest of the year. (This is especially effective if you attend only occasionally yourself). Decorate your front door with a plastic Father Christmas head. Eat and drink too much on Christmas day. After all, that’s what it’s all about isn't it? Tra la la la la…la la la la!