that time of year

[Stan Carter]

as we ready ourselves for the big day towards the end of this month, I despair at the changes that have been placed upon us by the PC crowd. I can only say, thank god they cannot take away our minds and memories, which only life can do. Memories of years past, growing up during the war, having not much, home made decorations, sitting around the fire sharing mum and dads stout warmed with the red hot poker. Getting our presents, mittens, socks and oranges or a banana, which in 1945 was my first. we all did the carol singing, going from house to house singing all the traditional carols which now seem to be taboo. Somehow "grandma got run over by a raindeer" doesn't seem to get me all warm and fuzzy. In the old days, saying "merry Christmas to you and yours", would ring out to all who you would meet on the streets, and said with happiness in keeping with the season. Now it's "happy holidays", said without depth or meaning or not to offend the other crowd.
As the big day approaches, I will think back, give thanks to what I have, what was instilled upon me by parents and the work force and live by what I believe in during this time of celebration, which "our book" states, occurred over 2000 years ago. Peace on earth, (we can only wish)... Please spread the word this Christmas....MERRY CHRISTMAS, we should not be bullied into this by the PC world.
regards, stan

[happy daze john in oz]

I went to the shopping mall in Broad Meadows, lovingly known as Moslem meadows for obvious reasons. All our shopping malls are decorated with Christmas decorations and to my surprise so was this one. Carols are being played in all the malls and all towns have some form of decorations on light fittings. There has over time been a number of attempts to supress the season by a few but various state govs have said that must not be the case. It is now left to individuals as to how they celebrate. It is not uncommon to see houses covered in Christmas lights at this time of year and there are a few doing it so well that they come from near and far to view. One such house does so much that the local council close the street to traffic for the month of December so people can see it in safety. This year one disgruntled neighbor, a lady of about 30, attempted to get it shut down, she lost.

Yes I recall the Christmases of old, cold nights sitting around a candle and when it got too cold we lit it. Hung my stocking up over the fire and Christmas morning nothing! The heat of the fire had burned a hole in it. But they were good times, we may have not had a lot but we had love of our fellow man, and woman, and there was for a time peace in the world. Now we live in uncertain times so my advice, enjoy the season the way YOU want to and to those who would destroy it, sit on it and rotate.