Well, as usual, it’s Christmas Eve day and I’m getting ready to go shopping. I am not good at shopping, so I put it off until the very last minute.

Several years ago, my wife, Stacy, was fussing at me because I never went with her to buy groceries. After I finally did, she has never asked me to go again.

I find the race to the check out lanes to be quite entertaining. This is where you’ll run across the rude people that think nothing of cutting in front of you. The sad thing is the holiday chaos gets worse each year.

What happened to “Tis the season to be jolly?” Don’t get me wrong, there are many, many nice people. But, as you know, some are really rude. It is much easier to be nice. It takes less effort to smile than to frown and a smile goes a long way. Rushing around getting the last minute shopping done, worrying about what to buy, who to buy for and how to pay for everything are just a few things that raise the stress factor. In addition to gift shopping, getting ready for the big holiday feast and company just adds to the stress.

This may sound like I am down on the holidays, but I’m not. I like to see everyone having a great time but it feels like the true reason for celebration is fading away with each passing year. Over the past 30 years I have written well over 8,000 articles and more than 10,000 radio scripts and several television scripts about fishing. Occasionally, I like to write articles on subjects other than fishing. Things like family values, remembering old times and columns like this one.

Does everyone know whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas? Unless you were born on Christmas day it is not your birthday, so why make such a big issue about gift giving? Christmas day is the birth date of our savior, Jesus Christ. I am directing this to the many people that truly know what Christmas is about. I’m sure you are aware of the growing number, the younger generation that does not know the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas has become so commercialized as the true meaning for celebration slips away.

It’s simply amazing how much the world has changed since I was a child. I still remember mom and dad handing my brother and I the Sears toy catalog. We were allowed to spend $50 each. That 50 bucks is nothing now.

There’s nothing better than watching children open gifts on Christmas morning. I just hope parents will take a few minutes to tell their children about the true meaning of Christmas.

My family and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God bless you all.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached by e-mail at fishingwitheddie@highstream.net.