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Rant & Rave
Tuesday, December 5, 2000
The Grinch stole Christmas because he didn't want anyone to be happy. What made him choose Christmas? Shouldn't all holidays be merry? Christmas takes glow
off other holidaysThe Grinch stole Christmas because it is the holiday that brings the most joy. But do we place too much emphasis on Christmas at the expense of other occasions?
From the beginning of the holiday season, Halloween, everyone's eyes were set on one holiday. We didn't even respectfully wait until one day after Thanksgiving -- a time of thinking what we are thankful for -- to think of what we want or what we need.
Even before Thanksgiving was over, Christmas had begun. Most shopping malls don't even wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start putting up Christmas decorations, because day-after Thanksgiving sales officially ring in the holiday spending period. Santa poses for pictures, elves are sent out to lure people into buying more than they need and humongous firs go on display.
We should at least make an effort to give the other holidays their due. New Year's celebrates a new year with new promises. Easter, the most important Christian holiday, is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Halloween is the eve of All Saint's Day (a holiday honoring Christian Saints). Thanksgiving is the day that the Pilgrims and Indians ate together, and Christmas is Jesus' birthday. All of these holidays are equally important.
Yet, Christmas is the one that stands out the most. Why is that? It's because Christmas is when we get presents. Why think about what we are thankful for when we can be planning how to hint to our parents about a new Sega Dreamcast?
It's weird that Thanksgiving, a holiday that helps us to remember what we are thankful for, is followed by Christmas, a time to receive. So, first we count our blessings, and then we think of what more we could have. This takes away from the thankful spirit.
We have undoubtedly become more and more centered around Christmas, a holiday which has become corrupt and selfish.
I can't deny these facts, but it is not too late to change. Give presents, not because you have to, but because you want to; and, I know you've all heard this before, "it is better to give than to receive."
The day before Thanksgiving, one my friends asked me what I wanted for Christmas. One of my relatives even had a list of what she wanted for Christmas, a week before Thanksgiving. I can't blame them for thinking of Christmas before Thanksgiving because I know there are many more people who have been thinking the same thoughts. I must confess that even I am guilty of this.
In fact, it is hard not to think of Christmas before Thanksgiving because of the sudden increase in advertisements telling us what we need. Commercials suggest that if you really love someone, you should get them something big and expensive.
I think that all holidays should be thought of as having equal importance. I'm not saying that Jesus' birthday is not important. I'm just saying that it is equally as important as honoring saints or starting a new year.
So, next time the holiday season comes around, don't only think of Christmas as being the highlight. Think of all the holidays as being equally important and significant in their own way.
I don't really think the Grinch stole Christmas. I think he stole everything but Christmas.
Kelly Matayoshi is a 9th grader at Punahou School. Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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