Sir Isaac Newton's birthday is tomorrow, December 25th. I don't avoid Christmas because I am not a Christian. As many of you know, I find much value in the Life & teachings of the famous carpenter, but not much in most of the subsequent nonsense done in his name. I just don't care much for the churchy rituals now associated with his birth, nor for the false cheer so many unhappy people display at this time of year. Love, friendship, family -- those are fine things to celebrate, though. And the Santa stories are fun (I've simply never told my children that such stories are true). It pleases me to focus my celebration around the coming of the new year; it's forward-looking, rather than backward-yearning.
Why not celebrate love, friendship and family all the time? I do, as much as I can. But to do so with more friends and family, it's useful to have holidays on which larger numbers of them can be expected to stop working and gather together. Unfortunately, I won't see my extended family this year, but I'm happy for the extra time off to play with my cubs, all five of whom are with me now.
AAAAOOOOoooooOOOOOooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go phbbbbbbbt on some round warm tummies.
L
Newton's Birthday tomorrow!
Cat says:
Don Lobo,
As you may be aware, I've recently written an Xmas article... due to complicating factors, I have not posted any notice here so far WRT my It Takes a Grinch to Ban Christmas story. It seems a bit late to do that now, unfortunately.
On the subject of churchy rituals and nonsense done in the name of Christ (or, indeed, any religion), I agree completely. Religion and politics always seem to aim at converting people to some prescribed way of thinking. Perhaps it takes an obstinately independent thinker to find that aim detestable?
WRT lying to children, I wonder if fairy tales haven't served a bona fide purpose throughout the ages by preparing kids in a kindly way for a lifetime of encountering lies, whether deliberate, or due to biased or imperfect perceptions of adults or teachers from whom children borrow experience or acquire knowledge... arming kids or innoculating them with skepticism, as it were. :)
While false cheer sounds unattractive, I'm not sure that it's unworthwhile to strive toward cheerfulness even when that takes a real effort. This has been the most depressing holiday season I can remember... and I can't recall ever making such a determined effort to enjoy it as I have this year. The Grinch seems to be winning... it wouldn't suprise me if the next issue of fiat dollars bore the inscription, 'In Grinch We Trust." Aaargh.
I'd say it's entirely human to want to reflect on the past with pleasure, as well as looking forward to the future. Especially as people get older, with more past to reflect on, and less future to look forward to, especially when that future doesn't look particularly bright ;)
Happy Newton's Birthday to you, and your cubs...
and Sunni, wherever you are, I MISS YOU! L&S!!!