An eye patch in a manger (editorial)

     It’s that time of year again. The time of year when Christians, which seems to be the majority of the people in America, have every free weekend marked off their calendar for the month of December. Those of us born into families within a Christian based religion, rush to stores and rack up our credit card bills Mall store owners hire extra employees for a few weeks. People even cut down innocent trees to stand lonely in our homes for this time period.

     However, I think people forget why others do all of this; to celebrate the birthday of the invisible man people like to call Jesus Christ. Although, who really is a firm believer these days unless they have found Christ through struggles with addiction of the loss of a close one?

     I grew up forced to go to church every Sunday, and Catechism every Wednesday by a mother of 100% Italian decent, and a father of 100% Irish decent. These two religions being the epitome of Catholicism.

What are you celebrating this holiday season?
(Photo by Christopher Vandenberg)

      I came to the realization that I didn’t believe in what I couldn’t see. What’s the point? People never know their purpose until we’re dead, but isn’t it too late then? When you’re a kid, it’s difficult to worship and idolize someone who looks different in every painting you come across.

     While making my confirmation at only fourteen years old, I started to branch from the norm and think freely. I decided on my own that I would no longer believe in a higher power for the following reasons: I could not believe what I could not see, I didn’t know whether the Bible was to be returned to the fiction, or non-fiction section, and I realized I was taking my own self strength for granted.

     How realistic is the bible? A book full of miracles with no cover, author’s note, or dedication page. These stories and miracles are all too farfetched and exaggerated for any free thinker. Doesn’t it seem more like a pamphlet of metaphors to remind us citizens to be good Samaritans and tell us of karma’s consequences down the road?

     The most important aspect of my epiphany was realizing that for so long, I had been taking my own self strength for granite. Before I went to bed at night, I would kneel beside my bed, close my hands, and speak my problems and concerns aloud. I did this as if someone was listening and was going to fix them. But who was I speaking to besides myself? I was only listening to my concerns so that I could realize I needed to act on them.

     This holiday season; ask yourself what you’re celebrating. Whatever your answer may be, make sure you can see it make sure it makes sense on paper, and make sure you believe in yourself enough to accept it.

     For Heaven’s sake, think about it.