I Love People, I Like Cakes. What to Do?

Doom, gloom, etc.

Not going there!  Just sayin...

The facts: centuries ago, a certain people group took over an entire region through conquest and taxes.  That is, as they slowly gained control, they gave the inhabitants three options:
1 - choose to convert and live, or
2 - choose not to convert and die, or
3 - choose not to convert and pay taxes.

I still haven't found out what determined who got to live and who *just* had to pay taxes.  Probably a treasury-related decision?

Regardless, these conquered people had to pay extra taxes, beyond the norm, because they chose to believe differently.

When I learned about this system of conquest, it was esconced (am I spelling that right?) in a history lesson.  When I learned about this, I thought, wow, that's so smart.  No wonder the religion thrived.  People HATE paying more taxes.  And I even asked myself, my college self, "Would I convert to avoid those taxes?"

This system was esconced in a history class I took ages ago, as a system of conquest that was successful ages ago.

I was shocked to discover this system is still in play in certain regions.  Certainly the convert or die system is still in play.  And yes we are watching it happen with no force to hold it back.

But effective this week, this convert or be taxed system is in play in America.

In my little head, I draw a slightly eerie parallel with this story, certainly only the first of many.

And unfortunately, though I dug, I could not find an article without bias, either from the left or from the right.  So I chose one that might appeal to most people of our generation.

Here is the article showing the weird correlation.  SO weird: in America, they pay more because they believe differently.

An Open Letter to the 3 Types of People Who Read Blogs

1 - College educated, professional blog sifter.

You haven't found your mo-jo, the one you lost after your job, and so as you are trying to recenter, you hone in on and repost any blog that has professional looking pictures attached.  You're well educated, you believe, and so the blog also has cited works: no fewer than two doctors, to include one neurosurgeon, quoted.  It's called intelligence by association.

2 - Bored, who cares, it's funny.

You have a minute to tune out the world.  You start with blase posts so you can at least laugh about life but end up in a very serious state of blogess.  How were you to know this rabbit hole would end up with you agreeing about a statement on vaccines that EVERY concerned parent in your life has to read.... Right. Now?

3 - Very serious, never published.

Like me, you have all the ideas in the world but no mass market outlet.  But everyone must know.  So you are surfing around to figure out what gets the most traffic... and once in a while there's one you have to post.  Check out those titles - must have a number - and blog titles starting with "open letter to" get the most traffic, too.

Huh! Interesting.

SO all the people posting and reposting blogs aren't experts. And yet, today, blogs carry the weight of authority, as long as they recommend something to stop saying or start saying, to stop doing or start doing.  "Start" looking elsewhere, friends.

Just Not the Best Use of My Time

Hey, as a Christian sister I’m reaching out. You could call my bluff on any number of things: how much time I spend on the internet (I read THIS, didn’t I?), how little time I put in to meal planning, how I could spend more time in the Bible… 

And so I respectfully disagree that I should continue a meaningless tradition called Santa Claus. An early childhood professional could tell you that pathways in the brain are set at an early age. I feel if a child is old enough to learn about Santa, he’s old enough to learn Jesus. 

I spent oodles of $$ making sure my child could sign, and communicate with me.  I even tried some Baby Einstein videos.  Classical music, too... I have spent way too much time trying to communicate well with my child and foster brain development to throw a wrench in that with a falsehood.  That I would be responsible for creating and fostering, no less!

I can instead choose to honor how very much they absorb by using this precious time to create pathways of joy. Joy that we are saved no matter what. Joy to me in this case also means not having to be weirded out by a dude coming in to my home when I’m asleep (let alone a fairy who picks up my head to deposit money! Hehehe).

We are also told to worship only one God. Worship is attention. I definitely put a lot of attention on my prayers to Santa as a kid. So I am trying not to misdirect my children’s attention, either accidentally or on purpose. 

I choose not to perpetuate a myth: because there is no explanation for it.

Now, I love explaining the sacrifice of St. Nicholas – he was made a saint for a very good reason – and it’s awesome! The Santa dude, not so much. 

And the ever-present patriot in me loves the cute effort of America to "unite" around this thing, since we can't agree on much else.  But I refuse.  Let's unite around the Bill of Rights or something civic like that - basic human rights - not lies. [Snark: leave that to some politicians!]

You say it’s to bring magic in the home? Children have their own imagination – to make something up for them stifles that. 

You need to have traditions? Yes, we all do!!  How about a birthday party for Jesus? Or a Las Posadas? These are very honoring traditions that elevate Him. 

There is no need for balance when we have an awesome Savior who went all the way! WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!