We address our Christmas message to the working class, about
to enjoy yet another wretched holiday under capitalism.
At Christmas time the religious want to rejoice in fantasies
about a messiah born of a virgin. The television channels seek the highest ratings
for their Christmas Specials. While the retailers use Santa to seduce children
into a life of consumerism.
December 25th was a holy day long before Jesus Christ was
even thought of. Primitive man worshipped the sun because the course of his
life was dominated by the yearly round of that planet in the heavens. This
practice was wide spread but especially in northern countries mid-December was
thought to be a critical time, as the days became shorter and shorter and the
sun itself weaker. Great bonfires were lit to give the sun god strength and,
when it became apparent that the shortest day had passed, there was great
rejoicing. Thus the Roman winter-solstice festival, held on December 25th in
connection with the worship of the sun-god Mithra, was known as the birthday of
the unconquered sun-god.
Socialists seek a decent society where all are co-operative
and sociable but not just for one day a year. Christmas is supposed to be a time of good
cheer. But it is impossible to disregard capitalism and the misert and distress
it causes even at this time of the year.
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