Christmas message?

[Bear]

I don't know if this is what you would call a Christmas message.  But to me it is all the proof I'll ever need. 

I just listen to a TV moderator of well known fame criticise all the stores putting out Christmas items sooner this year than any other year I remember.  I noticed it too but I think I understood, he didn't/doesn't get it. 

I went to a convention a few years back and in the process pf the many seminars heard an unbelievable statistic.  On an average, over 60% of all the items sold in the world happens at Christmas - some businesses even more.  Wow!  Think about it, over 2 1/2 times what would have occurred without Christmas.

Currently or economy suffers as cruel and selfish people lie and steal from us through fraudulent business practices or those with the ability and authority to do something about it don't so that they might enhance their power and control.  Businesses in act of need turn to pushing the Christmas items out sooner in hopes that that 60% fact of life happens again.

What exactly is happening?  We, in honor and celebration of our God who gave to us his son, we try to mimic him and celebrate the gift of giving by giving ourselves.  On a day we call his birthday we worship the birth of our Heavenly Father's Son and the undenied fact he came into the world.  No one makes us, many "bah humbug" their way through it, some of us believe we celebrate the wrong day, a lot of us complain about the how "Christ" is being taken out of it.  But the fact still remains, we celebrate our Great Brothers birth and a great miracle occurs so many "see" but never "see".  Jobs are provided and salaries paid.  All manner of things are paid for like homes, cars food, even a better education andsavings ofr our future.  People fed and clothed.  We have self-esteem in that we provided because we had a job that just happened to provide a Christmas present to someone or maintain a business of someone who did. 

Yeah.  Millions were fed and clothed and had roofs over their heads.  Much of the world is safe because a man didn't have to steal or war to make a living.  Why?  We celebrated his birth and try, as we can, to give a gift to those we loved.  Where did we learn that?  No one made us or required it, we chose to do it and that act multiplies itself in awesome ways just as he fed thousands with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. All we had to do is give a gift like our Heavenly Father did.

I say bring on the early Christmas and let it help business in their time of need, it will only prove my beliefs.

The Bear Family

[Ray]

You know in the Philippines Christmas season runs from early September thru mid-January.

Even here, Costco starts Christmas in August.

[Dave H]

You know in the Philippines Christmas season runs from early September thru mid-January.

Hey Ray,

When I was there in 2005 my brother-in-law was getting irritated because the carolers started months before Christmas. I started letting him answer the door because I didn't know who had been there and not. I was giving each kid coins, while he gave a small amount to the group. The biggest problem was that once they discovered that the Kano was a good source, the kids would switch groups a few times every night and keep coming back for more money. It was almost non-stop everynight for a few hours! I kept running out of piso coins every night. I finally got a huge bag of 1000 pisos. I had to get another bag of 1000 before Christmas.

Dave

[Bear]

You know in the Philippines Christmas season runs from early September thru mid-January.
Even here, Costco starts Christmas in August.

Ray,

I am married to a Filipina. 

But here in the states is where the actual "gift giving" is big business and it usually starts on Thanks Giving evening.  Of course so many worry about the commercialization of Christmas they don't see what that has done to the world.

Honey never got a Christmas present until she met me.  And I think that further proves my point.  No one gives gifts and practises the "gift of giving" in the Philippies so their culture suffers.  Look around the world at who do celebrate it and who doesn't. Those who do, tend to be stronger economies.

Dave,

Honey said if we lived there we'd have to give out pisos too.  Isn't that like legalized robbing?  To expect because your a Kano you'll give everyone money.  Maybe a few thousand pisos isn't much but I guess I just got that "punish" (use) the Kano bad taste in my mouth.  I'd probably give a lot (and have in the past) if no one expected it but when they "expect" then it makes me feel used and angry.

The Bear Family

[Dave H]

Dave,

Honey said if we lived there we'd have to give out pisos too.  Isn't that like legalized robbing?  To expect because your a Kano you'll give everyone money.  Maybe a few thousand pisos isn't much but I guess I just got that "punish" (use) the Kano bad taste in my mouth.  I'd probably give a lot (and have in the past) if no one expected it but when they "expect" then it makes me feel used and angry.

The Bear Family

Hey Bear,

I think the worst thing was having to keep getting out of my recliner!  I started having my wife's brother and sisters hand out the money. I just sat back in my chair and enjoyed the caroling. 

My favorite Christmas caroler was a small boy about 6 years old. He was all alone in the street, after dark. My wife and I were stopped at a red light across from Guisano Mall in our Suzuki Carry pickup. I didn't see any of the other kids that usually hang around the mall asking for money. He came up to the truck singing and playing castanets made out of Coke bottle caps. He never stopped and put his hand out, just kept singing his heart out. I gave him 100 pisos ($2) and a Jolly Yum hamburger, fries and a Coke. He was very happy!

Dave

[Bear]

Honey wouldn't let me give anything to anyone "begging" but tells me I have to give to the "carolers"

The Bear Family