You would think in the week before Christmas, I’d have heaps to write about. But, whether it’s due to general exhaustion as the year comes to a close, or all the other things going on forming a nasty Writer’s Block, I’m really struggling to find something worthy of writing about in the week before Christmas.

I wonder, though, if those obstructions that are stopping me from being uber-creative are actually one of the critical problems we’re facing with regards to this very important feast in our calendar. Looking around, there seem to be plenty of stories worrying about people not spending enough at the shops and thereby worsening the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), but far fewer stories musing on the real meaning of Christmas.

And even the ones I do find on “the real meaning of Christmas” talk about giving, and joy, and presents, and visiting family. This really gets at me because that’s not what Christmas is about. Those are activities and things we use to celebrate Christmas, but they’re not what Christmas is about. It’s not rocket science people. :) Christmas is the feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, some 2,000 years ago. One would think that any kid anywhere (in the “Western world” anyway) would know that.

But reading through a few blogs and “reputable” news sites, I see lots of reference to Santa and Xmas, and only passing mention of Christ. Many seem to be eschewing the whole spend-a-rific commercialisation of Christmas, which is fine and good. While we’re on this sub-topic, also good on World Vision and Caritas for coming up with laudable alternatives to socks and Xbox games for gift ideas! :) Let us not detract from their fine work, and from the idea of removing the commercial aspect of Christmas.

But, said blogs and sites never seem to be saying “get ye to church!” Even within my friends and family there are plenty of examples of where church won’t feature, or will take a backseat position to planning other aspects of the day. And that, my friends, really is missing the real meaning of Christmas!

I don’t want this blog post to be a downer in the week before Christmas, lest I become the Being Frank grinch! ;) I simply want to point out that it is increasingly important that we not only forcably place Christ back at the centre of this holiday ourselves, but that we witness to those around us that we are doing so. I’ve spoken about this public celebration of faith before – usually it comes up around Ash Wednesday – when, I feel, as Christians we need to pass on whatever reward we would receive in Heaven for quietly celebrating our Faith privately (see Matthew 6:5) and get out there and shout from the rooftops that Christ is born and that’s the reason for all the pressies!

That’s all. :)

(By the way, I wish to all of our Being Frank readers (that includes you, if you’re still reading ;) ) and their families a happy and holy Christmas.)

I couldn’t believe this when I first heard it. But I’ve now seen the story referred to on the NZ Catholic’s website, so I have to take it a bit more seriously.

Apparently, Planned Parenthood America is selling gift vouchers this Christmas.

… (give that a second to sink in).

That’s right – America’s #1 provider of abortions (what a claim to fame that is!) has decided to let people give the “gift of health” this Christmas, by selling gift vouchers in $25 denominations that can be redeemed for any of their services.

Now, in the interests of trying to hold a moderate position, I trawled through the ‘net to see what the counter position was. It’s not very strong.

From Indy.com

“Birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Avoiding unintended pregnancy is the best way to reduce abortion” rates, [Betty Cockrum, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Indiana] said. She added that her organization performs abortions on only about 5,000 of the 92,000 patients it sees annually.

The vouchers could be applied to the cost of an abortion. “I certainly don’t think anyone would consider giving it for that purpose,” spokeswoman Kate Shepherd said.

Hmmm…that’s the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy? Perhaps Ms.Cockrum should take a look at my post from last week? ;)

From The Washington Times

Ms. Cockrum added that the vast majority of services provided by Planned Parenthood are for basic health care, such as Pap tests, which cost $58 at the group’s centers.

“Even a gift certificate for $25 goes a long way toward what’s potentially a life-saving but certainly just essential, basic health care for a loved one,” she said.

The program has been endorsed by Dr. Judy Monroe, Indiana health commissioner, who called it a “really a meaningful gift.”

See, I don’t know about you, but the first thought that comes into my head when someone says “Planned Parenthood” is not “pap smear” or “breast exam”.

I have to say that this seems to be a moderately crazy idea! But all the commentary I’ve already read has pretty much focused on the moral arguments against this idea – of which there are plenty. So, as I’m all moderate and such, I’d like to point out – purely from a marketing point of view – how crazy this idea is.

See, who do they honestly think their customers are here? What kind of person is going to buy a gift certificate from Planned Parenthood and actually give it to someone for anything outside of comic purposes?!? What is that recipient supposed to think? “Do they think I’m pregnant?” “What are they trying to say?” “Where’s the exchange card?” :)

Seriously, at best this is an unbelieveably patronising, insulting gesture that they are trying to wrap up in a disgustingly false “we care for women” wrapper. From that Washington Post article:

“Our patients are principally low-income women, and so, needless to say, those patients are more challenged now than ever,” Ms. Cockrum said. “We find that when women are [financially] strapped, they’re more worried about putting food on the table and gas in their car, and their health care is often put by the wayside.”

I think I’m going to be sick. This is the answer to that problem?

I think it’s more than ironic that such an organisation is using a festival celebrating a difficult, inconvenient, no doubt stressful, mentally and physically challenging birth, to peddle their wares to take this “burden” away from women.