2003-12-25
1:06 a.m.
The real meaning of Christmas
Today I went for the 9pm Mass at Christ The King (CTK). Oh yes, you unbelievers, I AM actually a Catholic.. just not a very good one.
I've been asking myself this question for many years.. maybe it's time I verbalised it.. Why do people say 'Xmas'??
I mean, face it. Christmas, as I understand it, from various sources, stands for Christ's Mass. So if we take out Christ, and change it to X, as someone mentioned to me recently, aren't we crossing out Christ? And therefore, it really irks me, although as I said I'm not exactly the holier-than-thou type of Catholic, that people like to say and write 'Xmas' instead of the proper 'Christmas'.
Why do we celebrate Christmas? The season has now become such a commercialised affair.. Shopping Centres spend tens of thousands (maybe even hundreds, for all we know) to decorate their storefronts. Why? I mean, I for one don't visit a store simply because I like the decor of the storefront. This competition for the best storefront decor has been going on for as far back as I remember. Perhaps it is time someone organised a contest for 'the best use of 40 light bulbs' or something like that!
And the mad rush for shopping (thanks for reminding me about this, Xiz). Oh my.. have you seen the hordes in the shopping centres? So they spend three hours in Robinsons looking for the perfect gift for someone, pay a huge sum for it. So the recipient gives you a huge smile, a hug, and maybe a kiss. Wow! Big deal, ain't it?
Do people really remember WHY we celebrate it in the first place? Many years ago, Monsignor Noel Goh told me that no one actually knows the exact date of Christ's birth. 25 Dec actually marks the winter solstice or something (ok I'm sorry I can't really remember.. told you I wasn't a good Catholic). Anyway, it was a day that the masses celebrated, and thanked God for His Grace.
The real meaning of Christmas is to spread love everyday. That's what the priest at CTK said today. And I must say I agree. Why wait till Christmas to show people you care? I bet all those welfare homes must be innundated with gifts and such now. RCHD is overwhelmed with requests for visits, sometimes up to three groups in a day. Do needy people only exist during festive seasons?
Perhaps I could whine like some people do 'it's the festive season that highlights how much more unfortunate / needy some people are'.
Get a grip, folks! Needy people exist EVERYDAY. Open your eyes to look at the old lady scrounging for empty cans in the hawker centre, see the old uncle pushing the cart with all the cardboard, hear the blind man playing the accordian for a living outside the mrt station.. the list is endless.
Oh, I'm not asking for an overnight reform. Just hoping that people would begin to understand once more why Christmas is called Christmas and not Xmas.
This post is just my two cents' worth regarding the issue and I do apologise if I offend anyone in anyway. It was not meant to be offensive.
Have a Blessed Christmas, everyone!