On Thu, 27 Dec 2001 08:35:21 -0500 (EST), Thomas Mueller wrote: > from L.D. Best:
>> Feeling less than joyous this time of year is NOT uncommon. >> Although days are once again getting longer, we've just had to live > through three months of shorter and shorter days, and colder and colder > temps. >> All around us are ads and music and other miscellaneous propaganda -- > all trying to convince us that the first week of winter is supposed to > be a joyous and happy time, and anyone who is not out running around > like a chicken with its head cut off, spouting joy/love/peace on earth, > (while shopping 'til dropping, even if dead broke) is somehow an > abberation. >> It's a guilt trip created by religion and 'Madison Avenue.' >> You are not required to believe it. >> It is perfectly normal, and understandable, to be feeling as if someone > just replaced your pumpkin pie with a cow pattie and still expects you > to eat it with a smile on your lovely peaceful face. >> The best solution is to acknowledge how you really feel, give yourself > permission to feel that way, and keep on keeping on. >> May you be warm, safe, and protected by a UPS -- real or virtual. > I agree, and I have a UPS! Christmas is just a lot of commercial hot air > designed to convince people they have to spend money for gifts neither the giver > nor the recipient has any use for. I gave up Christmas shopping long ago, wish > December could be more like any other time of year. > Unseasonably mild weather, which has now given way to real winter, has left my > body accustomed to warm weather. If the weather would jump back into summer and > the room temperature go up to 29 C, I would be quite comfortable, and no cold > feet in bed. In Holland, some parts of Belgium and Germany, Santa lands by boat, an anchient steamer, from the sea (or river), at about November 15th. Until december 5th, the birthday of 'Saint Nicolas', he is supposed to ride with his horse on the roofs giving little presents to the children into their shoes placed near the fire place... little presents like some sweets or chocolate. Saint Nicolas is supposed to live in Spain and is dressed in a red robe but wears a mitre on his head. His helpers are black people. Are they a reminder of the 'Moors' (Turkish occupation of Spain 700? years ago) or of the little children use to sweep the chimneys? I don't know. December 5th is the big day, Saint Nicolas visits many homes delivering presents to the good ones. He carries a large book stating the behaviour of the children... there is a small risk to be punnished. Adults give each other presents too... but the emphasis is NOT on the value of the present but on the (practical) jokes going along with the present. The most important item of the present is the personal poem often introducing the joke. December 6th is Saint Nicolas birthday but he already returned to Spain leaving presents to the young children in their shoes. ******************** Of course their is commercial interest in Saint Nicolas... ******************** Santa is trying to take over Saint Nicolas. The original Dutch X-mas has nothing to do with commerce because no presents are given. There is a X-mas tree and heavy meals... Family gathers together... Christ is supposed to be born... and peace is all around... I never liked X-mas, I am not a Christian believer, but the introduction of "Santa" the Anglo-American way makes it all much worse. Two Santa's in one month is to much and Saint Nicolas is a nice and hapy folklore. It's nice to have a few days of from work. It's awfull that normal daily life becomes a complete stop with bloody X-mas songs blaring from every shop in town, from the tele, from the radio, ... for weeks. Anyway... best wishes to you all for 2002! Bastiaan -- Arachne V1.61, NON-COMMERCIAL copy, http://arachne.cz/
