I don’t know if I’ve ever posted forwards on this blog, nor do I intend to make a habit of it…but this rewrite of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” that I was recently emailed really got me going this morning. I generally avoid the topics of politics and organized religion, but at this time of year, religion just has to come into the game. I’m not insisting that everyone celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas (please never Xmas folks–your shortcut is crossing Christ right out of the picture), but where do you draw the line about all this holidays stuff? Advertise the other celebrations that happen at the same time all you want; but don’t chastise those in the majority just because they celebrate Christmas. What about Thanksgiving? Shouldn’t the Native Americans be protesting this day of feasting as well since their forefathers were oppressed by the white man when they landed on Plymouth Rock and started taking over the lands of the Americas?

We’re letting people strip away freedom after freedom from us and stomp all over the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. The ideas that this great nation were built on are being targeted and removed one by one. And I am certain that our forefathers spent a lot of time and effort putting all these checks and balances in place. But who needs those anyway? America will always be the land of the free, right? But let’s just remove anything which remotely might offend anyone, ban all religious acts to create a world religion and forget what moral values are, just in case.

The United States of America was built on Christian values and I think we need to revisit them. Where are people’s morals as they’re wiping out their entire family, their friends or their coworkers because they just had enough? Where are the parents who teach their children to respect their elders, friends and themselves; and that having sex and babies at 12 is too young? When did it become übercool to stop using your brains and just coast by?

We need to get back to our roots in so many ways…it’s our only hope of surviving in this crazy world. I see more and more people recognizing that fact, which is why homesteading, sustainable living, homeschooling and so on are continuing to make such a huge surge. Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents already lived this way…it’s the younger generations who have forgotten and/or lost interest.

It’s time to bring values and morals back to our countries. Spend time with your family, cook and eat meals together (microwaving some TV dinners doesn’t count), garden and spend time outdoors. Support your local economy, its small stores and farmer’s markets. Make it a point to meet your neighbors and try to help one another.

Whether you’re living in the US, Germany, Africa or anywhere else, it’s time for a real change in our ways of living. Not just a bunch of words being thrown around.

Ok, stepping off the soapbox…here’s the rhyme that started this rant.

The Holiday Story

‘Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an i-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me..
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith,
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !