I packed up the kids, and we went to town hall—
Because Solstice was coming! We wanted it all!
From the tinseled-up spruce-tree to Clarence’s bell
To the picture of Lucifer tumbling to hell
To the silver menorah , the Festivus pole,
The Santa in velvet delivering coal;
There’s Frosty the Snowman, decked out in his hat,
And a poster with greetings from Olde Ceiling Catte
Right smack in the middle, protected from danger,
A trio of kings and a babe in a manger
And gazing about as they walked up and down
Were the people from every corner of town!
They talked with their neighbors, and folks they’d just met,
And nobody noticed the cold and the wet;
They feasted, and caroled, and all sang along
(And everyone learned at least one brand new song!)
‘Twas the best celebration the village had known—
Much better than when it was Christians alone—
Inclusive is just simply better, you see,
As even the grinchiest had to agree
“Merry Christmas” is fine, but it leaves people out…
“Happy Holidays!”—that’s what the season’s about.
I dunno… I guess I just got to thinking about all the various different towns where they’ve set up public forums for holiday decorations. I mean, yes, what will happen in reality is that everybody who goes will love their own decoration and make fun of the others–the ones that don’t belong.
But why should that be the case, other than that people are tribal and selfish and… I guess I answered my own question. This is why I celebrate Cephalopodmas.
Blasphemy! This month approaches only the most profane celebration of Cthuletide.
Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn!
What about Hogswatchnight?
Seriously, I just finished Pratchett’s Hogfather, and it’s so good it makes me think we (people who want to expand the reach of the holidays) should make reference to it early and often. The Good King Wenceslas scene alone is worth the price of admission. There is no better illustration of how blind privilege can turn good intentions into you’re not helping.
It’s probably best to read some of the other Death novels first (at least Mort), but there’s still time to do that and finish Hogfather before Dec. 25.
Also, to return to the actual subject at hand: “ev-e-ry” makes me smile a lot.
Oh, good! It was meant to!