Rushing down and away from town early this morning, just to get the necessary presents before the crowd of idle Singaporeans with nothing to do and are too poor travel swarm and infest the streets, I observed that the Christmas decorations along the roads and in some malls have been placed.
And every year at this time I ask myself - "Isn't it a little early? Aren't the decorations placed earlier than the previous year?" And I conclude the stream of thought with a question, "hhmmmm ... I wonder why ..."
So the festive season itself has become another hallmark of commercialism and even to say so has become a cliche. It's become a more commonplace cliche to remark how the 'true meaning' of Christmas is lost in our consumerist-driven, commidity fetishised society. Whenever I hear that I would just scowl. People who make such remarks are probably themselves pretentious 'purists' who even believe that there is a 'true meaning' of Christmas. To even claim that there is, as a universal, is already a commodified thought (bleh ... hypocrites).
So why celebrate Christmas? Probably to make a profit and use it as an excuse to spend more money possibly making us feel good about ourselves for thinking that we are altruistic and a humane people that cares by buying gifts.
Christmas, stripped of its religious significance, is not and cannot be nor exist. But apparently it does ... So as Christians, we try to understand the purpose of this 'holi/y-day' ... hopefully. But what about the rest of the world that does not believe?
Perhaps this year I will ask two questions when the clock strikes 12mn on 25 Dec, both as a believer and non-believer; One, what is today, to me? Two, how is it different from any other day (or is it)?
2 comments:
well it's a fact that this beautiful festive has been commericalised.. but heck that. mean.. so what? as long as we enjoy and remember the significance ain't it just the same? only thing is people now make money out of it?
those people who say this festive is all-so-commerialised then shake their heads and padlock their stingy pockets, refusing to buy gifts for others.. are those who've really spoiled the festive.
i mean, yeah.. it may have become materialistic. as long as we remember the significance of the festive, and celebrate with that in mind.. i don't think we 'd mind a few more dollars out of our pockets.
right?
well it's a fact that this beautiful festive has been commericalised.. but heck that. mean.. so what? as long as we enjoy and remember the significance ain't it just the same? only thing is people now make money out of it?
those people who say this festive is all-so-commerialised then shake their heads and padlock their stingy pockets, refusing to buy gifts for others.. are those who've really spoiled the festive.
i mean, yeah.. it may have become materialistic. as long as we remember the significance of the festive, and celebrate with that in mind.. i don't think we 'd mind a few more dollars out of our pockets.
right?
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