“Across the top are the words, "Merry Christmas"! I nearly lost it. ”
Our oldest granddaughter, Jessica, and I used to play a game. One of us would say, "Gimme a break". The other would say, "Which arm?" That may seem silly, but if you'd been there, you'd undoubtedly have been rolling on the floor in gales of laughter! Well, maybe not! (g)
Well, I'm a self-admittedly (and family and friends admittedly) a poor candidate for the "Christmas Fan Of The Year" award. I've explored some of the reasons for this in my other Christmas pieces at Grant's Graceland.
I don't like the fact that the first Christmas song I heard on the radio this year was in EARLY September. I detest the pushy, rank, and unashamed commercialization of the Holy Day. Watching Santa take a smoking break with his beard pulled down outside an entrance/exit at the mall isn't very good promotion of the true spirit of Christmas. Giving a fat guy in a red suit the credit for the gifts given by parents and grandparents doesn't make sense to me, either! I could go on and on, but maybe you've caught my drift!(g)
A couple of weeks ago, long before Thanksgiving, even, I came across a huge display on someone's lawn. There was the traditional crèche (manger scene) complete with the traditional lambs, sheep, shepherds, angels, Wise Guys, Mary, Joe and, of course, Jesus in the manger. Throw in a couple of donkeys and three camels and you've got a fairly decent tableau.
Lo and behold, you'll never guess what other things were mixed throughout! Why, there was Santa, his sleigh, and ALL the reindeer. Across the top are the words, "Merry Christmas"! I nearly lost it. I'm quite sure that one or the other of these totally non-compatible scenes is permitted under our Constitution. But freely mixing the two of them?
GIMME A BREAK!
Jerry Meyer AKA PapaJ, past away June 21, 2005. He got an early Christmas present. Miss you bunches, Jerry!—Grant