The Holiday Games Are On Once Again

With Thanksgiving now firmly behind us, we’re full-blown into the holiday season. The race is on, rushing downhill towards Christmas at breakneck speed. Stopping only long enough to visit the malls and max out our credit cards, buying gifts that people don’t want, with money we don’t have, so that they can bring those gifts back to the stores and get a refund…

What a system!

In case you didn’t notice, I’m not particularly thrilled with the holidays. It’s not that I don’t like Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve, it’s that I think we’ve lost the essence of what they are. No longer are the holidays about their original meanings, which were all of a religious nature. Nor do we see much of the secondary meanings of family, friends and love… those seem to have been largely lost as well.

Thanksgiving has become a day of gluttony and football, Christmas a celebration of materialism and New Year’s Eve is just a drunken party.

On top of this, you can be sure that somebody, probably somebody on the political left, is going to be politicizing the holidays once again, being loudly and publically offended that someone actually had the affront to say “Merry Christmas” to them, rather than the more politically correct, “Happy Holidays.”

As I’m sitting here, writing this, I’m counting the minutes until I hear that someone or other has declared “Christmas” to be racist and demanded that the name be changed to something without meaning. After all, the left has been attacking every other symbol of our country’s heritage, why wouldn’t they attack Christmas as well?

Dr. Seuss’ neo-classic tale of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” should be a real eye-opener to us. I’m sure you remember the story; about how the Grinch, whose heart was three sizes too small, hated everything, including Christmas. So he decided he would ruin Christmas for everyone else… by stealing it.

The Grinch’s problem, which he didn’t realize ahead-of-time, was that Christmas was about more to the Whos down in Whoville, than just the stuff. It wasn’t really about presents, decorations and food, it was about the greatest love story ever told. He though that removing the symbols of Christmas would remove the story and cause the Whos to cry, “boo-hoo.”

But his nefarious plan didn’t work. We all know the story. As the Grinch stood there up to his knees in the snow, waiting to tip his sleigh and send all the Christmas the stuff crashing down the mountainside, he didn’t hear crying, he heard the Whos, lifting their voices up in song, giving thanks for the day, even without their presents, decorations and Christmas feast.

Are We Facing a Modern Grinch?

As I remember this story, I ask myself the question, what if that was America? What if the Grinch magically appeared this Christmas and somehow managed to steal Christmas, right at the stroke of midnight, on Christmas Eve?

Would he hear singing coming from our homes on Christmas morning, or would he hear something else? Would our joy in the day cause his heart to grow three sizes, or would he feel vindicated, that he had made everyone else feel his bitterness towards the holidays?

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Sadly, I think the Grinch would win that contest in today’s world. Too few of us ever take the time to stop and think about what the holidays are really all about. We are so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of buying presents, attending events, watching Christmas specials on TV and spending money to see what really matters, the people around us.

There are still millions of people out of work. Homelessness has reached epic proportions in some cities, especially amongst veterans. Hollywood is exploding with revelations about the sexual abuse that’s been going on there for decades.

Our prisons are full of people who are wasting their lives, rather than investing them in something worthwhile. Countless children live in homes with only one parent, and countless more go to bed hungry at night. People are hurting all around us, while we focus on glitz and glamour, seeing only the flashing lights and sound bites the media wants us to see.

What of those people? What of all the hurting people out there? Isn’t Christmas about them too? Who is reaching out to them, letting them know that someone feels their pain, sees their sorrow and cares about their lives?

Video first seen on gregorija1.

A truly great holiday season has to include caring for the needs of others. Those could be people who you know, who are going through hard times. But it could also be those you don’t know. Either way, it’s not about throwing a few dollars their way, funneled through some do-gooder charity that does the work for you. Yes, these people need out money, but even more, they need our time. They need us.

It is one thing to be willing to spend money on those in need; the Democrats proclaim that idea all the time. They are quick to push programs that take money out of working people’s pockets, so that they can then use that money to buy votes from the poor, lining the pockets of some well-connected (Democrat) bureaucrats along the way.

What Christmas Spirit is All About

But it is something totally different to give of yourself, especially your time, to others, especially those in need. Isn’t that the true spirit of Christmas though? For that matter, isn’t that the true spirit of giving?

Would it mean more to a homeless man to receive a hat, coat and shoes in your name, through some anonymous non-profit organization, or to receive it from your hand? Would it have meant more for them to enjoy on a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast in a homeless shelter or in your home?

Which is more important the money or the personal element that is behind the money?

My family has had a tradition for years of opening our home to those who are alone on the holidays. Sometimes, those are widows who have lost their husbands. Other times, it is young single people, who don’t have any family to be with. Still others, it has been those out of work or in some other need. It really doesn’t matter; in all cases, our home is theirs, at least for a little while.

I spend a lot of time in this column talking about politics; about the “big picture” of what’s going on in the world. But in reality, it’s the little things that matter. Yes, political events shape the world in which we live, affecting each and every one of our lives.

But the reality is, other than making our voice heard in the halls of power and our vote count on election day, you and I have little impact on what politicians do. They will make the big decisions, leaving the little ones for you and me.

But it is in those little things that we can make a difference in others lives. Aren’t we all called to that? Isn’t that part of what it means to be a human; to be an American? If we pass through this life, without making a difference in the lives of others, what purpose does our life really have?

My first mission is to my family. I have a responsibility to my wife, kids, parents, brother and sister. I must take care of them first. From there, the next circle of responsibility I have is to those who are close to me; friends, neighbors and co-workers; people in my church. The next larger circle includes people like you; people who I can help with the words that I write, whether it is teaching about survival or warning you of impending doom.

Finally, there is the circle around that, which includes everyone I see and come into contact with. Somehow, I have a responsibility to them as well, even if it is not as great as that to my family.

When I see a need, I do what I can. That’s why I teach about survival. There are many needs in the world, many dangers, and I am trying to help those in need. But I don’t let it stop there. Everywhere I look, I see people in need. To ignore them, I have to give up part of my humanity. And that’s not a price I’m willing to pay. So I pay it, doing what I can, helping whoever I can reach.

Some day, I may not be able to help those people. After all, my responsibility to my family is much greater. Should it come to a choice between the two, I must help my family first. I must be there for them. If that means turning my back on those others, in order to care for my family, then so be it. A little of my humanity will die, but I will have made the right decision.

Until then, it hurts me not at all to say “Merry Christmas” to them, to buy them a meal, to clothe those who are cold, or to sit and listen to one pour out their hurting heart. If my time spent can ease the burden for them, even a little, then I have made a difference.

I have made the holiday season about someone besides me. I have made it about something much bigger than me. I have made a difference in someone’s life.

This article has been written by Bill White for Survivopedia.

Written by

Bill White is the author of Conquering the Coming Collapse, and a former Army officer, manufacturing engineer and business manager. More recently, he left the business world to work as a cross-cultural missionary on the Mexico border. Bill has been a survivalist since the 1970s, when the nation was in the latter days of the Cold War. He had determined to head into the Colorado Rockies, should Washington ever decide to push the button. While those days have passed, the knowledge Bill gained during that time hasn’t. He now works to educate others on the risks that exist in our society and how to prepare to meet them. You can send Bill a message at editor [at] survivopedia.com.

Latest comments
  • PRAISE and GLORY BE to GOD ! ! You are Causing Our Lord to smile upon you, Bill. GOD BLESS You and Yours.

  • We say “Merry Christmas”. Most Americans are Christian anyway.
    Put it this way, I have said “Merry Christmas” thousands of times and never offended anyone. In fact, I always get a “Merry Christmas” in response. Especially after I say “ Not Happy Holiday’s, but Merry Christmas”
    To those who want to force us to stop saying “Merry Christmas”, I say this, “ We do not care what you want”
    We will say “Merry Christmas” and if you do not like it, that is your problem and loss, not mine.
    Also, for those who are upset about the date discrepancy, many people have celebrated their birthday on a different day. we are simply doing the same thing for the Savior’s Birthday!

  • with The way liberal america treats president trump, one should not be surprised by their abandonment of Christmas and all things good. As a non american, i see what he is accomplishing in your nation and his resolve to bring america back to the values of her founding fathers. Liberals seem to view all of this as an affront to their values and the way they wish the country to go. Liberal sickness is proliferating all over the world but one needs to remember that god is in control no matter what the left tries to do. If america is to return to its roots and become the god-fearing nation it once was, american values need to change for the better. mr. trump and his team cannot do it alone. I have often wondered what will happen to the united states of america and, indeed, the world once donald trump completes his eighth year in office. The bible tells us what will happen but for now, to those who still hold jesus and biblical truth dear, merry christmas. By the way, did you know that the latin word for “left” is “sinistra”. Does that ring true to what the left is doing in today’s world?

  • Good for you Bill. However for me I will continue making donations (Make a Wish is my favorite). I would not want to endanger my family by bringing unknown folks into our house. I’ve seen too much crime, some violent, committed by some of these homeless folks, obviously not all of them but enough for me to be cautious. The victims of these crimes often need our help also. I do applaud you for your helping out these folks, especially the Veterans. Merry Christmas

  • AMEN! God bless you and your family and all of your loved ones. I wish YOU could be our president! my husband and i are totally disgusted with both parties. Please keep up the great work you do!

    When the “happy holiday” garbage started, and an employee at a store would say happy holidays to me, i pretty much barked back, Merry christmas! it is christmas! and then I would notice the startled look on their faces….ha!

    wishing you and yours a very merry and blessed christmas and, with god’s grace, a happy, healthy prosperous new year!

  • Come to Canada: we still say “merry christmas” with conviction.

  • The unholy liberals be damned. I will say Merry Christmas as I see fit. If they do not like it, they can just get over it.

  • put on the whole armor of the Lord and be prepared to defend our Lord step up speak up do something say something but dont be idle when they trash the lord or his day.

  • thank you for your article and the courage that it took to post it. i am so sick and tired of people whining and crying that they are offended about this, that or the other. it seems like those on the noisy left trying to tear down all that we have built over the centuries. in this coutry the majority rules not some dolt that sits around blubbering in his or her beer because he or she can’t make the world act and look like they want it to be. christianity is the dominant religion of this country, so be it, but our constitution allows anyone to practice their faith in any way that they see fit without harassment or rredjudice. if you don’t believe that our way is better go to a moslem country and see how tolerant they are of your religion. good luck. political correctness has had a good run, but it is getting very tiresome. it is time for the whinners and the criers to go bawl in a ditch and leave the rest of us out of the idiocy. thank you.

  • Thank you for a breath of fresh air in a polluted world of self greed. This is like a light in a dark world showing God is still there waiting with the light on for those who want to come home. Praise be to God for all who seek the truth.

  • Happy Holidays!

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