UNL Extension Educator, Webster County
December 20, 2012 Edition
As I write this column, we are just one day away from the “End of the World” as supposedly predicted by the Mayan calendar and even Nostradamus. This has caught the interest of many people, and even my grandkids are aware of this prediction. I would like to spend a little time on this topic and perhaps a little history. The ancient Mayans developed a calendar, known as the Long Count Calendar, which is based on the number of days that have elapsed since a religious (in this case historical) point of beginning. Because it has the nature of a linear calendar, their Long Count Calendar was able to be extended either forward or backward in time to refer to any date. The point is that there is a "Great Period" of 13 b'ak'tuns (5125 years) that ends on December 21, 2012. I found it interesting that the story actually started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians centuries ago, was headed toward Earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 -- hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012 and if you need to be accurate, at 11:11 UTC (coordinated universal time).
The story of this planet will collide with ours is just one prediction. There are notions that the Earth’s poles will reverse, or solar flares will wreak havoc on our environment, or perhaps there will be an interaction between Earth and the black hole called Sagittarius-A, at the center of the galaxy will occur. I believe there was a movie made on the end of the earth involving a large meteor or comet that was destined to ram the earth. Another suggestion is that Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars will all come into alignment and that the resulting gravitational pull will spell the doom of our earth. Others believe that this perhaps might be the beginning of the apocalypse or Tribulation as suggested in the Bible. Others point to what is going on in the Middle East (Iran, Syria, Israel, etc.), while still others point to the economic troubles across the world and even our nation as we seem to be facing the so-called fiscal cliff or even “climate change” as proof.
One thing is for sure, the Mayan prediction has really taken a life of its own and it seems everyone is at least curious about what may happen. Actually I don’t think the Maya ever said that there would be an apocalypse on that particular date—and even if they did, there’d be no reason in my mind to believe them. I really believe that we will all live to see another day, so don’t put off your Christmas shopping or your credit card payments. Just to be on the safe side, however, I haven’t done my Christmas shopping yet. How about you? Forget the Maya predictions. How about Christmas?
If we make it through the “End of the World”, then we should have smooth sailing into a special time of the year. Most family Christmas’ will be celebrated as this column reaches our local newspapers. Presents will be opened, children with wide eyes, weary Santa’s helpers will be ready for a reprieve, and stores will be ready for the post-Christmas sales. Some people will forego the 12 days of Christmas and take down their trees and decorations and many others will be sitting in front of their televisions for a plethora of college football bowl games. Maybe we have forgotten what makes it special.
Maybe it is the name. Did you ever wonder where the name "Christmas" comes from? I found that it actually comes from the Latin "Christes Masse" or Christ's Mass. This grew out of the Roman Catholic feast day by that name in the first century AD. You will find that "Christmas" is not found in the Bible, nor is it a prescribed scriptural holy day. So if it is not the name that makes Christmas important! So what really makes Christmas, or if you prefer – “Holidays”, so special?
Is it Santa Claus and his reindeer? Is it the Christmas tree? Is it mistletoe or Yule logs? Is it candy canes and bowls of nuts and candy? Is it the food and drink? Is it the Christmas cards? Maybe it is the spirit of giving. Unfortunately, many will agree that this practice has gotten somewhat out of hand. To many, Christmas is over commercialized. The "spirit of indulgence" has become the rule, with credit card bills to prove it. Christmas has been said to be the “Merchant’s Delight” or perhaps “Store Clerk’s Despair”. Not to mention the post-Christmas return or post-Christmas sales that can rival Black Friday’s rat race! It is estimated that around $10 billion will likely be spent in America this Christmas for over 1 billion gifts, plus $150 million worth of wrapping paper, not to mention scotch tape, ribbon and bows. Don't forget the food in homes and restaurant or the alcohol that will be bought and consumed between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Take away the name, Santa and reindeer, the tree, mistletoe, Yule logs, cards and all the commercialization, and what do you have left? Some would say, "Just one big headache!" And they would be partially right, because when it comes right down to it, for many, December 25th is just an excuse to have a party, spend money they don't have or could use elsewhere, overeat and perhaps simply to take time off work. For others however it can be a time for loneliness, fear, despondency and emotional stress. It can be a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it is special for another reason. To me it is special when family and friends can spend time together, especially if they are scattered in different locations the rest of the year. It is special to watch the wonder and delight of little children when they see dazzling Christmas lights or tear open those magical presents. It is special when we can make Christmas a bit more special for people who are less fortunate. It is special when we enjoy the music of Christmas. It is special to enjoy everything I mentioned above, that are associated with the season. But for me, what makes Christmas so compelling is the real reason for the season!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
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