As every year, we are currently witnessing mass conditioning that is sweeping through the media to promote excessive consumption during the holiday season. In the crib of the capitalist god, the merchant virgin prepares to give birth to half of her annual turnover.
This surge of irrational and often useless consumption takes us away from the meaning of the festival which, at its origin, was intended to be a moment of reflection sown with joy and peace. But, as usual, the market economy quickly recovered this religious holiday, to make it the focal point of this shopping frenzy.
The generous Santa Claus metamorphosed into Santa Claus. This new messiah mediates between the gluttonous producer and the hungry consumer, while indoctrinating young children to adhere to this new pagan religion.
Even if the belief in this character eventually fades, his sacramentality endures and is expressed in the madness of Christmas.
Can we escape this ritualized delirium in way of life?
For my part, I try to replace this form of exchange of goods or commercial services by significant presences near my own. I urge them not to give me presents, their presence being in itself the most beautiful gift.
Around a good meal, our authentic exchanges constitute the main part of the menu.
In a larger framework, Mother Earth also asks us to put an end to these excess consumption which requires too much exploitation of its resources.
The best gift we could give ourselves would be to commune with her in this quest for survival. If Christmas is love, let’s get back to the roots of the party!