What Does It Mean?

Christmas Day 2008 has come and gone. So much I heard this season that it's a down year, that it doesn't feel like Christmas, that people have to economize carefully when buying gifts. But, I wonder, what does all the spending mean? Why do we train our children to respond to the question, "What did Santa bring you?" We have tied cheap plaster happiness to tangible merchandise, disposable, consumable goods. Moreover, we don't want our children or lovers to feel neglected, so surely a stuffed tree will bring them joy . . . Is it not enough to know with certainty that someone is thinking of you most sincerely this time of year, that someone is hoping that you are peaceful and blissful? Because what is worse than not having a closet full of clothes or fun gadgets is not having anyone to hug you on Christmas morning and to gaze directly into your soul to wish you a Merry Christmas.