December 23, 2007
My youngest son asked a question I was perplexed with answering. He asked: If so many people do not go to church or believe in Jesus, why do they put up lights and trees and buy presents?
And about the only reason I could honestly commit to was that people long for hope, for love, for friendship. People give gifts out of love and out of hope for love being returned.
Those are difficult concepts for anyone to understand, least ways a 9 year old. And while I understand the mathematics behind the probablities of human behavior I am in awe of the human spirit.
Going shopping at this time of year is crazy, isn't it? So here are millions of people spending money they don't have on a holy day in which they do not believe for a brief moment of happiness, or at least the pursuit of happiness.
And yet there are far fewer smiles and less laughter than one might expect. I can understand this. I have friends who have lost a family member or friend to death's door. I know single mothers stretching their budget and their hearts. I know out of work professionals who are accustomed to spending $300 or more per child, and this year they have to say “no” for the first time. I know families divorced or estranged for myriad reasons. I have several friends struggling with overwhelming illnesses. I know a young couple who gave birth to a stillborn child this week.
And yet every major spiritual framework places a Festival of Light somewhere near the Soltice, both the darkest time of the year and the beginning of the return to sunlight.
Which strikes me as a Real Metaphor for humanity. Only, we are the suns, the stars that shine in a darkened world whirling in pain, sadness, and lonliness.
So my challenge this year for myself and I invite any souls reading my writings to join me: Rather than submit to the craziness of frantic meals, sweets, wrapping OBJECTS, try to make the choice to wrap yourself in light and laughter and the hugs of family and friends, even if you only have one. If you cannot hug yourself or another person, hug a pet, hug a plant, hug a pillow. If you need to cry, do so. If you need to scream, do so.
Then rather than accepting craziness, embrace courage, the courage to smile at another person, a type of facial hug, while you are shopping, pumping gas, driving in traffic.
And in your heart, wish the person the BEST of the season, and follow that thought with wishing yourself the same.
It takes courage to save a life, to be a fireman, a guardsman, a police officer.
For many of us, it takes at least as much courage to smile at another person.
So I smile at you across cyber space and wish you a joyous ChristMass, a belated wonderful Hannukah, and joy in the shortest day being the nexus for increasing light. This is the first ChristMass ever in my life that I have chosen courage over crazy and fear.
*Merry Christmas. Life is a gift.*
