Christmas with the Atheists

While this Christian festival has never had a religious meaning for me, that doesn't mean it is meaningless.

Aside from the chocolate, presents, turkey, salmon, chocolate, prawns, wine, chocolate, mince pies, pudding, chocolate, cherries, shortbread and chocolate, it's a time to think about family and friends, spending time to show that you care- mostly with chocolate.

I spent the morning at RSPCA sharing some love with some forgotten little souls, as the day would otherwise be a very lonely one for them- with no staff or visitors around to talk to them. Even more sad are those who are there because their family was going away and didn't want to pay for a boarding kennel, so dumped them instead.

On the way home I was dismayed, as always, with the way people were driving- maniacally swerving in and out of lanes, overtaking and speeding. If you are running 10 minutes late for lunch- so what? Do you really think that your presents will evaporate, lunch will be served without you or your family will kick you out because you arrived slightly after what you had planned?

As the original religiousity of this date has dwindled and petered out to near non-existence, and the capitalist spending flurry takes a rest between the present-shopping panic to the sales frenzy ahead, I thin a lot of people are missing the point. Think beyond not getting that CD you wanted, or how much you belly aches after gorging yourself too much, appreciate those around you and perhaps give a little love.