Merry Christmas!
I am going to start this post off on the wrong note. I apologize to all who read this. Please, persevere through the first couple paragraphs until you reach what follows.
I am not known for commonly making public political statements. Nor am I known for commonly making public my religious opinions. Those that want my opinions can ask me privately and either agree or disagree with me (or be bored by them) as they will. The point is, they are not for unrestricted public consumption.
Fortunately, I find I can keep my record relatively clean, even after this post is made public. Christmas is not a political entity. Nor is it a religious one (no, not even a Christian one; get off your high horses you snobs on both sides of the fence, you aren’t doing your beliefs any credit). To label Christmas exclusively either is to belittle this special day beyond all human and moral acceptability. To label Christmas exclusively either is to demonstrate one’s willingness to accept dogma and ideology, which are human creations (sorry to disappoint you all), over creativity and humanity, which are the gifts we are given (and not by our fellow humans). To label Christmas exclusively either is to care more about the gift than the giver; to care more about what is received, rather than what is shared.
Was that just a bit redundant and pedantic?
Probably. But no more pedantic than those who repeat the same few words over and over again, believing that by doing so often enough and loud enough, they will drown out all dissenting words. Never mind that those words might come from the voice of God, in addition to the voices of one’s fellow men and women.
Okay, lecture mode over. For those still not offended, my thanks for reading me out, even if you do not agree with what I said. For those offended, my sympathies and pity. You need all you can be offered. On to the main point of this post.
Merry Christmas.
Rather less boring and pedantic, no? :-)
May the peace of this holiday be with everyone. We face challenges in life year-round, and this time of year is no exception. That is why we have a holiday of peace and goodwill towards fellow man, a holiday that now far transcends its origins in both Christianity and folk/paganistic beliefs and religions.
To ignore myself, and instead consider examples among those people I am blessed to call ‘friend’ in this world, I can think of many examples. Friends who lack a steady job at the moment, or have one that only permits a minimalist lifestyle. Friends engaged to be married now facing the challenge of wedding planning (and the even more formidable, enduring, and, yes, rewarding challenge of sharing one’s life with another). Friends facing parenthood challenges. Friends struggling with difficult marriages or relationships. Friends estranged from family members. Friends in college facing simultaneous difficulties related to classes, relationships, and an uncertain future after graduation. Friends who have successful fought off cancer, and are now facing the additional challenges that arise. Friends dying of cancer. How many more challenges involving THEIR friends could each of those people I just thought of above add to my list? How many of each of those friends? No one has a monopoly on hardship, even during late December.
So, if we accept that hardships exist in life year-round, we must therefore value a time where we might find comfort from our own hardships, and offer what comfort we can to ease the hardships of those around us. Whatever your religion or beliefs, whatever your challenges in life, whatever your plans, please take what time you can spare and seek the serenity of a day of peace and goodwill. Share that serenity with as many around you as you can. Your gift does not have to be great to be valuable. Its value will always grow in the sharing.
My offer of serenity and peace to all who read this. Merry Christmas.
Frank the Wanderer
I am not known for commonly making public political statements. Nor am I known for commonly making public my religious opinions. Those that want my opinions can ask me privately and either agree or disagree with me (or be bored by them) as they will. The point is, they are not for unrestricted public consumption.
Fortunately, I find I can keep my record relatively clean, even after this post is made public. Christmas is not a political entity. Nor is it a religious one (no, not even a Christian one; get off your high horses you snobs on both sides of the fence, you aren’t doing your beliefs any credit). To label Christmas exclusively either is to belittle this special day beyond all human and moral acceptability. To label Christmas exclusively either is to demonstrate one’s willingness to accept dogma and ideology, which are human creations (sorry to disappoint you all), over creativity and humanity, which are the gifts we are given (and not by our fellow humans). To label Christmas exclusively either is to care more about the gift than the giver; to care more about what is received, rather than what is shared.
Was that just a bit redundant and pedantic?
Probably. But no more pedantic than those who repeat the same few words over and over again, believing that by doing so often enough and loud enough, they will drown out all dissenting words. Never mind that those words might come from the voice of God, in addition to the voices of one’s fellow men and women.
Okay, lecture mode over. For those still not offended, my thanks for reading me out, even if you do not agree with what I said. For those offended, my sympathies and pity. You need all you can be offered. On to the main point of this post.
Merry Christmas.
Rather less boring and pedantic, no? :-)
May the peace of this holiday be with everyone. We face challenges in life year-round, and this time of year is no exception. That is why we have a holiday of peace and goodwill towards fellow man, a holiday that now far transcends its origins in both Christianity and folk/paganistic beliefs and religions.
To ignore myself, and instead consider examples among those people I am blessed to call ‘friend’ in this world, I can think of many examples. Friends who lack a steady job at the moment, or have one that only permits a minimalist lifestyle. Friends engaged to be married now facing the challenge of wedding planning (and the even more formidable, enduring, and, yes, rewarding challenge of sharing one’s life with another). Friends facing parenthood challenges. Friends struggling with difficult marriages or relationships. Friends estranged from family members. Friends in college facing simultaneous difficulties related to classes, relationships, and an uncertain future after graduation. Friends who have successful fought off cancer, and are now facing the additional challenges that arise. Friends dying of cancer. How many more challenges involving THEIR friends could each of those people I just thought of above add to my list? How many of each of those friends? No one has a monopoly on hardship, even during late December.
So, if we accept that hardships exist in life year-round, we must therefore value a time where we might find comfort from our own hardships, and offer what comfort we can to ease the hardships of those around us. Whatever your religion or beliefs, whatever your challenges in life, whatever your plans, please take what time you can spare and seek the serenity of a day of peace and goodwill. Share that serenity with as many around you as you can. Your gift does not have to be great to be valuable. Its value will always grow in the sharing.
My offer of serenity and peace to all who read this. Merry Christmas.
Frank the Wanderer