Christmas will soon be here, the ads on TV, etc., are already focusing on "Toys" for children. Every child should have a toy at Christmas. I have to wonder where this started, and why a toy, why not a meal for hungry child.
I would like to blame toy manufacturers for keeping this alive, but it was pointed out to me today, the Wise men brought gifts to the Christ Child upon his birth. So, I can't blame J.C.Penney, or Walmart, gifts go back, way back.
I do think the myth has been perpetuated by Mattel and others, Christmas is for gift giving and especially "toy giving," to all children, regardless of their circumstances. Maybe the best thing that can be done is to "brighten" a child's life, even if just for one day. Maybe that one toy can erase the hunger, the living conditions, the cold, the utter despair, for just a brief period of time. Perhaps this is the best we can expect.
I have envisioned a fireman, handing a toy, to a dirty faced, cold, under clothed little boy, living with his family, under a bridge somewhere. Perhaps that's the best we can offer, a few moments of joy, that make the child forget. The "government" can't find them a place to live, or get his Dad a job, or even know they are alive. With all we have in this country, all we through away each day, it just seems ludicrous that the best we can do for this child, is a toy, every child deserves a "toy at Christmas."
Is that ..... really .... the best we can do. And knowing us, that was probably originated by a toy company, or a toy store or a retailer, to sell more toys. Firemen have a toy drive, TV stations have toy drives.
"Here kid, is a toy, Merry Christmas, no, I ain't got nuthin to eat!"
