[Magdalen] Home for the Holidays.

[Cantor03 at aol.com]

This is not an unique observation, but for some reason I've been more
aware this year of the portrayal of the Christmas holiday as extremely  
important
to families but this does not translate into even the slightest realization 
of the real essence of the holiday.
 
There are a half dozen series that I follow on television and  Christmas is
always featured as very important to the characters, but never is  there
any idea of participating in religious observances which are the  foundation
of the holiday.
 
Christmas trees and decorations are prominently displayed, and there  are
often subplots involving Santa Klaus.  Families fight tooth and nail  to get
together for the holiday usually portrayed on Christmas Eve.
 
I am reminded of the three medical residents assigned to my area
over the Christmas holiday whom I observed having a heavy duty  argument
over who would be off for the holiday.  One was Jewish, one was
Moslem, and one was Hindu.
 
Such is Christmas in North America.
 
 
 
David S.