By J. Douglas Stevens
Staff Columnist
The other night I saw an episode of “The Simpsons” where Lisa converts to Buddhism. She was in search of a religion that wasn’t materialistic and served her own spiritual needs, instead of one that demanded conformity. Her family was distraught and tried to lure her back to the straight and narrow with the glitz and glamour of Christmas. But their over-the-top attempts just drove her further into a search for inner peace.
The episode attacked religion with lighthearted sarcasm in true Simpsons fashion, but its point was well received. The holidays are quickly approaching, and before we all dive into the frenzy that is the Christmas season, I think we should take a moment to meditate on our priorities.
I hate to make a universal judgment on society, but it seems that we have lost sight of what is important. Sure, we all enjoy the sight of a loved one tearing the paper away from a gift wrapped with thoughtful care, but what about all the commercial significance surrounding that moment?
Those crafty retailers work diligently year round, putting together the perfect marketing package to lure you and your hard-earned Christmas shopping money.
The networks run special programming bubbling with holiday warmth to keep our cocoa-sipping faces glued to the TV set, while boosting their ratings.
Our favorite athletes won’t be spending Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas morning with their families – instead they will duke it out on the court and the gridiron, making those 30-second advertisements all the more pricey.
The holly, the tinsel, the mistletoe, the noble fir – each is historically significant, but they have since converted to a mere instrument of the media. This leaves the twisted truth for us to consume.
I’m not too jaded to ignore the sincere acts of goodwill that some perform during the holiday season – the Toys for Tots, the many homeless outreach programs and the random acts of kindness that often go unnoticed.
But for most of us, the Christmas spirit is far too removed. What does a Santa-shaped, rotating lollipop holder do for a young impressionable child, besides perpetuate laziness? I’m no tree hugger, but the idea of a disposable Christmas tree, grown and cut down strictly for entertainment purposes sounds all too wasteful – or should I say all too American.
I present these thoughts not as a humbug, but as a critic of tradition and as a student of society.
As for “The Simpsons,” their Christmas story ends happily. Lisa did not abandon her newfound Buddhist beliefs, but the family celebrated together, looking past each other’s differences and shortcomings.
This year, let us not forget the reason for the holiday season. You may only see certain family members once or twice a year, and you may only attend Sunday service on Christmas and Easter, but both occasions deserve more than just lip service.
Whomever or whatever you may be celebrating, remember to acknowledge the source of love in your life: your family, your extended family and your friends.
November 13, 2003