B.J. Murrey - World Orphans, Central America

(Caution: contains graphic material, & personal views that represent only my perspective. Proceed only understanding this first!)

Part of me thought that by moving to Guatemala I was going to somehow avoid the insane materialism associated with Christmas, and I was wrong. Comercialism is in full bloom here along with the faux greenery that "decks the halls" of every congested downtown Avenue or Street. Already consumerism is taking great advantage of poor (not pity-full, just "no dinero") Guatemalans by offering micro-finance options on all their payments with deferred interest of only 20% or more. The mega-malls have moved in, en force, along with every conceiveable American name brand, and some creative "alternatives" to others (see "Kary May" picture).

Either way, if the Sundays here are any indication of what to expect during the Christmas holidays, I can be assured that it will be just as secular and man-centered as the "winter holiday" (formerly Holy-day) is in the good ole USA. Hey, whatever is most comfortable and expedient for us individuals, right?

At least Guatemalan law still hasn't made the switch to the USA-endorsed (read Obama) style of infanticide where pregnancy is sufficient reason for abortion, but according to Planned Parenthood, it's on the horizon. Even though the law ALREADY provides legal abortion in the case of the mother's life being endangered, that's not good enough for Planned Parenthood. They want the right to exterminate ALL unwanted, un-born persons with extreme prejudice.

I am convinced that had Planned Parenthood been around in Jesus day, King Herod would have surely contracted them to exterminate the Christ-child (and the thousands of others ordered to be killed) by killing all the unborn babies in the womb - a preemptive strike against the Savior of the World. What would Christmas day be then? Would it ever have existed? Well, already it certainly looks like any other day, with the exception of the dramatic increase in orgiastic spending on useless items with no lasting value...