movie review | Healing Science Today

Borrowed Christmas Traditions

Santa Claus is a jolly reminder that many of the traditions engaged in during Christmas time were borrowed, maybe never to be returned. The traditions of gift-giving, tree decorating, feasting, and honoring gods, can be traced back to ancient Scandinavia, Germany, and Rome celebrating the winter solstice or New Year.

Movie, Christmas Unwrapped: A History of Christmas documented how, for more years than not, Christmas was a rowdy event. Drinking, indulgence, and carousing went on for days. It was centuries after Christ Jesus’ birth before churches stepped up as participants in the holiday.

Christmas as we see it today was fine-tuned in the 19^th century when children were recognized as important during the festivities. The “family” approach tempered the holiday. Christmas carols, stories, and cards also became popular in the 19^th century along with the nativity of Christ Jesus as a focal point.

It’s fair to put in a plug for Saint Nicholas―though exorbitantly marketed today―because the spirit of giving has truly been lived by individuals for centuries in many cultures. For example, in the 4^th century A.D. Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna lived in what is known today as Turkey. Bishop Nicholas was a wealthy and generous man who loved and gave gifts to children. He was later given the title of Saint Nicholas.

Keeping Christmas in perspective, I hope you all have a blessed day and every day after.

Serious Moonlight, movie review

A fan of Meg Ryan, I thought her protrayal in the film, Serious Moonlight was intriguing. Ryan plays Louise, is a high powered attorney who discovers her adulterous husband is running off to Paris with a younger woman. Louise then duct tapes her husband to the toilet, unwilling to go along with his plans.

The film didn’t make me crack up laughing, rather it put a witty spin on feelings I could relate to. However, a sense of realism intertwined throughout the film, especially when Louise barfed. Different people handle these kinds of situations differently, and Louise’s approach was interesting.

Serious Moonlight is rated R for language and threatening behavior. It was directed by Cheryl Hines.

The film reminded me of some advice I’ve followed for the past 27 years of marriage, from 21st Century Science and Health, “Considerate words and selfless care in what promotes the well-being and happiness of your spouse will prove more beneficial than indifference, sarcasm, or jealousy. Spouses hear this and remember how a simple kind word or deed may renew earlier happy times.”