Thanksgiving, a thankless 'non-holiday!?'
Here we are again! It's 'that time of the year.' when the, 'Holiday Spirit' overtakes us all and we are filled with 'glad tidings' and 'good cheer' for our fellows everywhere. RIGHT?!!!
Let's take a good, pragmatic, well-informed look at this perennial pariah, shall we?
First of all, tomorrow is not even a real 'holiday!' In the strictest sense of the word, 'holiday' is derived from the words, 'holy' and 'day!' No doubt conjoined by some sectarian marketing maven on Madison Avenue (or maybe even R.H. Macy himself), it has come to be a 'red tag' appellation for any opportunity to foist unneeded retail on the doe-eyed (and dough-eyed!) public, eagerly awaiting the chance to grossly consume anything at any time for any reason.
However, this one is particularly onerous in that it uses the single greatest event in recorded civilization (namely, the birth of 'Jesus the Christ') to wreak emotional havoc and financial devastation on millions here in theUS
True, the Pilgrims were a persecuted Christian religious sect that sought refuge in the wilderness of the not-so-New World. (Native Americans were here for 10,000 years before WASPs drove them onto the reservation!) But, aside from saying a perfunctory prayer before diving into a gastronomic orgy, followed closely by a fit of shopping, there is very little, if anything spiritual about 'Turkey Day!' Heck, the fact is that most people now skip the invocation altogether and proceed directly to, what amounts to, a swan dive into the turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing! (Important reminder: MostUS
What has happened to the homage paid to 'The Great Spirit' in the 'giving of thanks,' as it was when first celebrated here almost half a millennium ago? What have we done to the offering of gratitude to a benevolent God? We have slathered it in an ocean of oleo, piled on it mounds of bird flesh and biscuits, cranberries and quarterbacks, parades, pageants and sales with stampedes to the point of non-reconcilability.
And, what of those who most resemble the early celebrants of this first American tradition (that's right the very first), the hungry, cold, downtrodden outcasts that to this day struggle for survival? Is there not even a mention of them, much less a prayer or a warm repast? And, who will stretch out a giving hand, besides the handful of true believers who find it better to serve than shop? Who will offer a grateful word of thanks for their tireless compassion, unconditional Love and kindness?
I will. Won't you join me? It doesn't take much. You don't even have to give up anything. Keep your cranberries and your car keys for the spree. Keep the gravy stains on your team jersey, too! But, please, keep a small place and a grateful prayer of 'thanks' in your heart and soul for all that you have, those sick and suffering who have not and those serving in any way, anywhere for anybody who ever believed in the Peoples' dream that became this 'Great Experiment.'
Most of all remember, 'In God We Trust!' He shall guide us through every trial, every challenge, in every age, everyday. He will prevail, just as He did then for those humble few dozen (53 Pilgrims) and their red-skinned hosts (90 Wampanoags) on the fourth Thursday of November in the year of our Lord, 1621. May He continue to bless us All.
Copyright 2013. By David Patrick Wilson. All Rights Reserved
Here we are again! It's 'that time of the year.' when the, 'Holiday Spirit' overtakes us all and we are filled with 'glad tidings' and 'good cheer' for our fellows everywhere. RIGHT?!!!
Let's take a good, pragmatic, well-informed look at this perennial pariah, shall we?
First of all, tomorrow is not even a real 'holiday!' In the strictest sense of the word, 'holiday' is derived from the words, 'holy' and 'day!' No doubt conjoined by some sectarian marketing maven on Madison Avenue (or maybe even R.H. Macy himself), it has come to be a 'red tag' appellation for any opportunity to foist unneeded retail on the doe-eyed (and dough-eyed!) public, eagerly awaiting the chance to grossly consume anything at any time for any reason.
However, this one is particularly onerous in that it uses the single greatest event in recorded civilization (namely, the birth of 'Jesus the Christ') to wreak emotional havoc and financial devastation on millions here in the
True, the Pilgrims were a persecuted Christian religious sect that sought refuge in the wilderness of the not-so-New World. (Native Americans were here for 10,000 years before WASPs drove them onto the reservation!) But, aside from saying a perfunctory prayer before diving into a gastronomic orgy, followed closely by a fit of shopping, there is very little, if anything spiritual about 'Turkey Day!' Heck, the fact is that most people now skip the invocation altogether and proceed directly to, what amounts to, a swan dive into the turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing! (Important reminder: Most
What has happened to the homage paid to 'The Great Spirit' in the 'giving of thanks,' as it was when first celebrated here almost half a millennium ago? What have we done to the offering of gratitude to a benevolent God? We have slathered it in an ocean of oleo, piled on it mounds of bird flesh and biscuits, cranberries and quarterbacks, parades, pageants and sales with stampedes to the point of non-reconcilability.
And, what of those who most resemble the early celebrants of this first American tradition (that's right the very first), the hungry, cold, downtrodden outcasts that to this day struggle for survival? Is there not even a mention of them, much less a prayer or a warm repast? And, who will stretch out a giving hand, besides the handful of true believers who find it better to serve than shop? Who will offer a grateful word of thanks for their tireless compassion, unconditional Love and kindness?
I will. Won't you join me? It doesn't take much. You don't even have to give up anything. Keep your cranberries and your car keys for the spree. Keep the gravy stains on your team jersey, too! But, please, keep a small place and a grateful prayer of 'thanks' in your heart and soul for all that you have, those sick and suffering who have not and those serving in any way, anywhere for anybody who ever believed in the Peoples' dream that became this 'Great Experiment.'
Most of all remember, 'In God We Trust!' He shall guide us through every trial, every challenge, in every age, everyday. He will prevail, just as He did then for those humble few dozen (53 Pilgrims) and their red-skinned hosts (90 Wampanoags) on the fourth Thursday of November in the year of our Lord, 1621. May He continue to bless us All.
Copyright 2013. By David Patrick Wilson. All Rights Reserved
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