Hostile Holidays

'Twas six days before Christmas and all through the Web
The ultimate battle was refusing to ebb.
Happiness and cheer were nowhere to be found
And clicking of computer keys was the only sound.
Each side wishing to be the victor
But the holiday season is about so much more.

As I checked my Facebook feed, I expected to see festive posts.  Friends happily talking about coming home for the holidays, proud parents displaying photos of their children on Santa's lap.  And of course, dogs in adorable Christmas attire.

However, what I saw was a feud as old as time itself.  How should you greet someone during this time of year?  Do you say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?"  Either way, you are bound to offend someone.

I have found that the people who offer up "Merry Christmas" are typically Christians. They choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's one and only son, on Christmas day.  So, in saying this phrase, they are keeping Christ in Christmas because He is the reason for the season. 

People who choose to say "Happy Holidays" may or may not be Christian.  This phrase encompasses all the holidays that occur during this time (Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.) and has no religious connotation.

So, the M.C.ers tend to automatically assume that when greeted with the "Happy Holidays" phrase, that the greeter is a non-Christian.  And their devotion to the Lord makes them feel that these well-wishers are trying to take Christ out of the Christmas season/celebration.

The H.H. ers do not like the M.C. ers because they feel that these people are trying to force their religious beliefs upon others.  They may or may not believe in Christ and by echoing "Merry Christmas" back, might fear they this will be taken as a religious stance.  In addition, the H.H. ers may not even celebrate Christmas.  They may partake of Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, so the phrase "Merry Christmas" truly means nothing to them (although I believe the sentiment is understood by all).

I am a Christian.  I have been my entire life.  And my birthday is on Christmas day, too.  That being said, I honestly take no offense how I am greeted at this time of year.  The purpose of all of the holidays that occur during the month of December is to spread love, peace and happiness.  Each holiday involves people coming together with their friends and family to celebrate a holiday that is important to him/her.

As Christians, we need to avoid being overly sensitive when the vast majority of H.H. ers do not mean any ill will towards us or our beliefs.  By the same token, H.H. ers need to understand that not everyone who says "Merry Christmas" is trying to make a religious statement.  If I really wanted to force my views on others, I would say, "Happy Birth of Our Lord and Savior!"

Plus, has anyone looked at a calendar recently?  What does it say on December 25th?  It says "Christmas Day."  Just like how December 26th says "Kwanzaa begins."  I do not get offended by seeing these holidays listed.  While some of these days have no significance to me, they do to others.  And I respect the fact that not everyone has the same ideas and beliefs that I do.  The world would be a pretty boring place if they did.

As Christmas continues to draw near, I would like to invite the entire world to set aside its quarreling.  Focus on what truly matters:  spending time with loved ones. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope that you find peace, joy and comfort.  Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!

Guilty Giving

Christmas is just around the corner.  There are parties to attend, presents to be wrapped and large holiday meals to consume.

Most importantly, this is the season of giving.  However, it seems that literally everyone wants you to give something to some one/cause.  Please do not misunderstand me.  I love to give, but, what happens when you feel forced to give?

The place where I work is hosting a Christmas party at the end of the week.  Everyone is supposed to bring in a delicious dish to share.  Then, a white elephant gift was requested.  And now, we are expected to bring in gifts to give to the student workers.

Much like the anti-drug campaigns in the early 90's, the phrase "Just say no," comes to mind.  But, I learned quickly that you do not want to be that person.  Case in point, I overheard a group of my co-workers talking about who brought in items for the student workers vs. who did not.

"They can just go to the dollar store and pick something up," said one co-worker.

Here again, we, as humans, are in the terrible habit of assuming that people have money to spare.  While I do not come to work with holes in my clothes and am lucky enough to not have to take the bus to work, my husband and I don't often have "spare" money.  Especially, not after purchasing Christmas gifts for the members of our families.  You cannot tell a person's financial situation simply by looking at him/her.

*Ironically enough, this person ALWAYS takes off the day of the office Christmas party.  Could it be because this person does not want to spend money on food for everyone?  Hmmm.....

And why do we judge people for not giving during this time of year?  Just because someone chooses not to give to your specific cause does not mean that the person does not give in general.  In fact, I have given money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Pancreatic Cancer Network, the American Diabetes Association and the Missouri Humane Society.  My husband and I also sponsor a child in Sri Lanka through World Vision.  And I love to give to the Salvation Army bell ringers.

I give to these causes because they have special and personal meanings.  My grandma has Mantel Cell Lymphoma.  A dearly departed friend of mine suffered from pancreatic cancer.  My father has Type II Diabetes.  And I own 5 dogs and a cat.  It's safe to say that I love animals.

We chose to sponsor a child because we were inspired while attending a Christian concert. Our donation helps to provide much needed education as well as sanitary supplies and food.  Plus, we love to receive letters and photos from "our" girl.

Giving is supposed to be a voluntary action.  One should not feel coerced or forced into doing so.  People should give because their heart tells them to.

I hate to admit that I have succumbed to peer pressure.  On my way home, I did stop at the local dollar store.  And in doing so, I have spent some of the money that is supposed to be used for our mortgage.

So, remember the real reason for the season.  God gave us the ultimate gift, his son, Jesus, because "he so loved the world."  And that is the true meaning of the word "giving."

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Princess Paradigm

*SPOILER ALERT!  PLOT OF DISNEY’S “FROZEN” WILL BE REVEALED!*

 

For years, Disney has perfected the princess formula.  The princess seems to always find herself in trouble.  Then, she is rescued by the handsome prince.  Upon being saved, she is whisked away to the prince’s castle where they wed because on the 20 minute horse ride, they managed to fall deeply in love.

 

As predictable as these plots are, I still love them.  Disney always manages to give the classic fairytale story a unique twist.  But, I must admit, I am ready for a change.

 

This change came in the form of Disney’s latest film, “Frozen.”  I knew that the movie was sure to be good because it was created by the same team that worked on “Tangled” (another one of my favorites).  But, I had no idea that it would be….EPIC!

 

First, instead of the isolated “only child” princess, we are taken into the lives of two princesses.  Sisters Anna and Elsa live in a beautiful castle in a Nordic kingdom.  When young, they enjoy playing together.  But, Elsa was born with magical powers in which she can make things freeze.

During a particularly energetic bout of playing, Elsa accidentally hits Anna in the head with her ice powers, freezing her mind.  Anna is rushed to a clearing filled with magical trolls that manage to save her.  However, her memories of Elsa's magic are erased.  Fearing the near death of her sister, Elsa takes to hiding in her bedroom where her parents teach her to "conceal, don't feel."

As the sisters age, Anna cannot understand why Elsa wants nothing to do with her.  But, Elsa is soon forced from her hermit like ways when the girls parents die in a sea faring accident.  Elsa must be crowned queen...in front of the entire kingdom.

The gates of the kingdom have been locked tight since Elsa's incident with Anna.  Now, Elsa will have to try to keep her powers in check long enough for the coronation ceremony and ball.  Anna, on the other hand, is thrilled that she will actually get to interact with the townspeople.  She even hopes to fall in love.

With the party in full swing, Anna manages to find "the one."  But, when she asks Elsa for her blessing for the quickie marriage, Elsa turns her down.  Anna is crushed and tired of her sister always shutting her out.  She no longer wishes to live a cloistered life.  So, Anna pushes Elsa for answers to her many unanswered questions.

As Anna pulls on Elsa's hand, begging her to stay and not cancel the party, she inadvertently removes one of Elsa's gloves.  Upset that Anna is creating a scene, Elsa releases some of her magic.  With her darkest secret revealed and accusations that she is a sorceress, she feels she has no choice but to flee.

Anna truly loves Elsa and decides to go after her.  After leaving her fiance in charge of the kingdom, she heads out into the blizzard that Elsa has created.  Along the way, she meets Christoph and his reindeer, Sven.

Together, they manage to find Elsa.  However, convincing her to come back and thaw the kingdom will prove to be a less than easy task.  Elsa's fury gets the better of her and she hits Anna in the heart with her magic.

Meanwhile, Anna's fiance decides that Anna is in danger when her horse returns to the kingdom riderless.  He gathers troops and begins to search for her...and Elsa.

Anna begins to feel strange while plotting her next scheme with Christoph.  He recognizes that she has been infected with Elsa's magic and rushes her to his adoptive family, the trolls.  The king troll informs them that the only way to thaw Anna's freezing heart is with an act of true love.  He immediately sends Anna back to the kingdom to find her fiance so that she can receive true love's kiss, ending the spell.

In the tussle at Elsa's ice castle, she gets captured.  She is taken back to the kingdom where she is imprisoned and will be executed for the death of Anna.  Unbeknownst to Elsa, Anna's fiance does not love her and is hoping that she will die so that he can claim they said their wedding vows, making him the ruler of Elsa's kingdom.

Sven does not want to go back to the troll family with Christoph.  He knows that Christoph is Anna's true love and manages to persuade him to go back to the castle.

As Christoph races to save Anna, the evil prince (Anna’s ex-fiancé) is preparing to kill Elsa.  With Anna almost completely frozen, she had the ultimate choice to make:  kiss Christoph and be healed or save the sister that has always shunned her.

 

In a stunningly breathtaking performance, Anna chooses to save Elsa.  Christoph arrives in time to see Anna turn into solid ice.  You would think that he would try to kiss the statue in order to break the spell.  Or that Elsa’s tears would melt the ice.  But, in Disney’s most shocking conclusion yet, Anna manages to save herself!  The extreme love she showed for Elsa by sacrificing herself is considered true love and breaks the spell!

 

Finally, Disney has expanded its mindset to acknowledge other forms of love.  For decades, it has been the typical princess/prince routine.  This could tend to send the message that true love can only be felt in these romantic type relationships.  However, sisterly (or familial) love has taken center stage.  And I, for one, am thrilled! 

 

Disney began to step out of its box with the release of “Brave,” in which Merida’s mother saves her from being eaten by a bear.  The mother/daughter bond was beautifully portrayed.  I am hoping that Disney will continue to explore other relationships, such as father/son, best friends, grandmother/father with grandchildren.

 

I also loved the idea that Anna was able to save herself by…being herself.  She had always loved Elsa, even when it wasn’t easy.  Anna had every reason in the world to choose Christof and be happy for once in her life.  But, she loves her sister more. 

 

The final aspect of the film that I love is the fact that these princesses can take care of themselves.  Elsa needed no help in creating the amazing ice castle.  And Anna certainly didn’t need any assistance when dealing with her sister (aside from getting to the top of the mountain).  

These ladies will definitely not be depending on any prince!  They show young girls that you do not need to be dependent upon a man (or anyone else, for that matter) to find happiness.  Since the death of their parents, Anna and Elsa have been handling life on their own.  And while they may choose to fall in love, they do not have to be in a relationship to be happy or successful.

 

All in all, “Frozen” is one of Disney’s best films to date.  The powerful messages of inner strength, confidence and family love shine through in every snow covered scene.  With amazing animation and loveable characters, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss.