Holiday- 2049

   What will Christmas be like in 2049?



~2049~ (I'm just going to write, I won't proof read it..LOL)
  The holiday itself will no longer be called 'Christmas', it was deemed socially unacceptable 20 years ago because of the number of different religions that had complained they felt left out by current labels for the time period.  Christmas, by President Musarfa Al Quendeb was made "obsolete" on a federal level, and was called "Holiday".....until 2030, when anti religion activists succeeded in changing the name, because 'Holiday' was what most people actually had to say in place of Christmas (in 2009), and wanted a more "all-encompassing" term for that particular time of year.  The socialist party didn't normally honor voting for such matters, but since it wasn't a matter of national security they allowed voting from the people.  The contenders for the title were "Joy Time", "Work and School days off period", Winters Solstice, Granted Time Allocation and the Nondenominational Winters Solstice Period.    The trick was to make it acceptable for the majority.  "Joy Time" was quickly nipped out, and the first to go...since many were insulted at the very idea we should tell them to feel Joy. They will feel what they want, and should not be told how to feel. So it was gone.    Granted time allocation is another term for 'Break', which took place at work daily, so they felt there wasn't enough to separate the two concepts.   Eventually, since many wanted to be spiritual without crossing the line on the 'no particular deity' rule...decided to go with "Nondenominational Winters Solstice Period"...hoping that it would lead to the legal ability to be spiritually attached to something. 

 Christmas trees were something different. They once stood as symbols of Christmas.  Later, in the early 2000's they would be called "Holiday' trees.  Eventually, the term 'Holiday' (Al Quendeb) was stricken from language, except for history classes, and the symbol itself would disappear so as not to promote the memory of Christmas. The very term 'Christmas' in this age carries the same social weight of dropping the f-bomb in front of a kindergarten class. It's unthinkable to say it in public. Christians were allowed to celebrate their holiday privately, in a single room in their house, and that room must have no windows.  Sounds from that room must not be heard, so the rooms had to be sound-proof.   At no point ever must the images from any religions surface in public view. This was probably because of the riots and the rising cost of grief counseling to the government (the government handles all matters of every citizen, except domestic disputes inside the home).   At a certain point, many activists insisted that pine trees be eliminated from North America because it reminded them of the C-word, but the environmentalists won that battle, pointing out that trees are actually good.   Eventually, the C-word tree was modified several times over the years to appease the various sorts of people, and became the "Solstice Pole".  An acceptable solstice pole must not be made of wood, since that came from a tree. It was made of granite, and was very expensive.  It protruded from a cement base with a hole in it, so it could be taken apart and stored with ease.  When people erected the Solstice Pole one day after "Base Gratitude Day", they would chant in a single flat note:

Oh Solstice Pole, Oh Solstice Pole
Oh there you stand just standing
Oh Solstice Pole, Oh Solstice Pole
you stand so straight and commanding
I feel no joy, I feel no hate
I feel neutral, while you stand so straight.
Oh Solstice Pole, Oh Solstice Pole
give me an order, I will comply.

Then, the chanting would end with a single subtle nod, and the family would all go to bed.

 Then, the father would command his children to go to bed.  And that's when he'd tell them the Solstice Tale, "It was the night preceding the Solstice Period" 

It was the night preceding the Solstice Period
and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
without approval from the Committee

Random articles of clothing were hung
by the thought police microphones with care
paying attention not to block the camera
that watched us from there.

When all of the sudden there arose such a clatter
I ran to the window to see what was the matter
An impressively smart being stood transgendered in the crowd
I would have shown emotion
but that isn't allowed.

I watched it work as it evaluated my home
checking off items I placed there alone
with a blue glow, this being surveyed
it acknowledged my presence, and said in monotone

You have complied and you feel what's allowed.
I grant you permission to walk in the crowd.
And I watched it hover from out of sight
and it said to me
"Have an acceptable time, I acknowledge this night"

 The kids would hum one note, and would then receive their sleeping injections.

  The official colors of the Solstice Period were contemporary: Black and White, and should show no favor to any particular shape so as not to offend those who dislike certain shapes like triangles, squares, and the occasional octagon.  The Image Committee decided on Ovular items, since it was the average shape of a human head. If it were a sphere, it had to represent the globe. But if a globe is displayed by the solstice pole, it had to be spinning very quickly so it did not rest nor show favor to any particular country.

  Acceptable street-level greetings would be. "Remain Physically Healthy", "I acknowledge your presence", "Acceptable", simply humming a minor note, or a single spinning movement that must not resemble dancing. 

 The solstice period is now a period of time that can offend no one, nor show favor to nothing. Society decided it was better to appear neutral on these matters than to emotionally traumatize the 'people of spiritual melancholy', and face possible 'religious harassment' charges..which carry a heavier penalty and "shame-rate" as a second degree murderer.   Everyone now is happy...errr...I mean everyone feels that this arrangement is acceptable, and non offensive...and this is how the holiday season was allowed to prevail.

  Happy Nondenominal Winters Solstice Period to you and your family units.  Understand that rest is beneficial, and you must nourish yourselves.

  Chris