In less than two weeks, Christmas will be upon us all... or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or what ever holiday you believe in, we wish you all a safe and blessed Happy Holiday. With all the crowded stores, people hustling around carrying arms of boxes of recently credit charged gifts, maybe driving faster than normal to get their shopping quickly along with the patients wearing thinner and anger raising, as the one finger salutes waving as they cut you off in traffic. All the tension climbs through the roofs, people change into ogres of hate and egomaniacs with harsh words anytime someone crosses them. Well, maybe not all that, but sometimes it feels that way.
The holidays season is suppose to be a time of rejoicing, happiness and thankfulness. At least that is the way it is advertised. With children sliding down snow covered hills, adults sitting around a fire laughing and drinking hot coco and dressed up in their new puffer jackets and ski boots. But unfortunately it isn't always that way. I wish it was. The reality is some people forgot what those up coming holidays were designed for, and what they celebrate. It is not the lights all over your house, and the inflated Santa in the yard, or buying electronic gifts, or wiz-bang toys, or socks for dad, or that sweater you bought for someone that they will never wear it. Christmas is A LOT more than that. It is about praise, thankfulness, compassion, friendliness, greeting strangers with a firm handshake and smiles and worship. Maybe I am just too old fashion and dam old. But I remember what Christmas and the holiday season use-to-be like. It was sort of like going to grandma house with the whole family, having all of us sitting down at her big table and having a meal, eating too much and then gathering by the Christmas tree and exchanging small inexpensive gifts people really appreciated with laughter, stories and jokes.
The gift giving came from the three wise men who came to pay tribute to Jesus. Their descendants probably became Amazon, Macy's and Target owners. Maybe if we all spent a day dishing out food at he local homeless shelter, or helped a needy family, or just stopped to help someone else during this coming season. Who knows it might just put a different light on your Christmas. And take you kids so they can see the other side of the street, and what it is like to sleep on the street or not have enough food for a Christmas dinner. Every year I try to help at least one person I know is hurting. It makes me feel good and worth the smiles on their faces that some stranger cares for them in at least a little way.
I just lost a cousin I called after so many years not talking, because I let my own world consume days. But when just a call cheered him up so much, it made me feel good too. I wish I had called more.
Anyway, Happy holidays to you all. As my late Fire Chief said, "Be Nice, be kind and care for others." We talk more after the first of the year.
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