A Few Winter Thoughts

While I grew up in the world of annual Christmas celebrations, it wasn’t until I was older that I learned there were other winter holidays being celebrated. There’s the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa, and Las Posadas, which is found in many Latin-American countries. There are several others, as well, that don’t get the same amount of recognition as Christmas.

I’ll admit that I can be a bit of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas. It’s not the holiday, but the way it’s celebrated. The commercialization of the holiday – as wonderfully addressed in A Charlie Brown Christmas (sponsored by Coca-Cola) – and the emphasis on donations to various causes.

Did you know that many non-profit organizations here in the U.S. get the majority of their funding during the Christmas season? That means that nearly their entire budget is based on the amount of donations they receive in December. It has to carry them through the rest of the coming year.

I often wonder why so many people wait until the end of the year to think about the underprivileged. People still go hungry in April and need clothes in July. There are children who could use a bicycle to get to school (or work) in September. And yes, there are abandoned animals in shelters that could use new homes any time of year. 

To me, the spirit of giving is lopsided. It’s all focused during one month of the year when people truly need assistance every day. Because of this lopsided sense of giving, many organizations struggle to achieve their missions of helping the less-fortunate during the warm months. That really needs to change. 

My point is (after all these words): Consider giving to charity and helping others throughout the year. Don’t wait until December to write those checks. The food banks, shelters (both human and animal), and other worthy organizations could use your contributions year-round. 

And to close this out, I’m sharing one of my favorite Christmas songs. This is the 1977 release from The Kinks titled “Father Christmas”. It’s obviously tongue-in-cheek, but it still carries a thoughtful message. I’ve included the lyrics for those unfamiliar with the tune. Credit goes to the songwriter, Ray Davies.

When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I’d be glad

But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor

They said
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don’t mess around with those silly toys
We’ll beat you up if you don’t hand it over
We want your bread so don’t make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Don’t give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don’t give my sister a cuddly toy
We don’t want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real mccoy

Father Christmas, give us some money
We’ll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don’t mess around with those silly toys

But give my daddy a job ’cause he needs one
He’s got lots of mouths to feed
But if you’ve got one I’ll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids on the street

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We’ll beat you up if you don’t hand it over
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin’
While you’re drinkin’ down your wine

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We’ll beat you up so don’t make us annoyed

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We’ll beat you up if you don’t hand it over
We want your bread so don’t make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys
 

Best wishes to you and your loved ones this winter holiday season. 

RB