Yuletide is nearly upon us. The time for giving thanks and cherishing all that we have, speaking as an American, is here. Amid all the talk of family, love, sharing, and thanks is this raving torrent of consumerism. YOU NEED a new TV, PS4, Xbox One, etc, etc.
I remember when I was a child Thanksgiving was a time reserved for family time, overeating, playing football, and napping. The day after was for putting up Christmas lights and eating leftover pies. Now we are inundated with this cultural push to leave our hearths and families ON Thanksgiving to get those deals before the next guy. Hell, why bother with family. You have to get that new TV by standing in line for 14 hrs. Let's not teach our children the values of being thankful for each other and the limited time we share on this planet. Instead, let's reinforce the idea that what you have isn't good enough. You have to get better stuff.
I am so glad that I spent my holiday with family that shares this sentiment. We spent a lazy day relaxing and an afternoon and evening of sitting down to a delicious home cooked meal....not once, but twice! Good conversation and games were played. The older I get the more these times mean to me. I think back to my parents and grandparents playing games with us as kids and I am profoundly thankful for those memories.
As we are beaten in the face with this increasingly ridiculous amount of consumerism during this holiday spirit, let us not forget that Heathenry is a family based faith. It is a faith that celebrates these moments of connected-ness between us and our loved ones. Build frith and be happy. Screw the presents and enjoy good beer, a warm fire, and great people. At the end this journey it's all that matters.
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