Christmas - A Time for Everyone!

Christmas -- just saying the word fills me with gladness, comfort and joy.  Of course, I would never utter such nostalgic words if I wasn't wrapped up with the Christmas spirit.  Many believe this is nonsense, with the $650 Billion in purchases clearly demonstrating that Christmas is nothing more than today's marketing ploy to guilt folks into buying presents.  Others feel the religious significance has been lost.  The politically correct illustrate the substitution of  a 'Happy Holidays' greeting and the hypocrisy in perpetuating a myth of Santa Claus to children.   Operating in 'sprint mode' for an entire month is often deemed more stress than merriment,  Holiday parties bring less fete and more dread.

Not for me!  I joyfully wrap my mailman's box of chocolates to honor him once a year.  Expressions of love for my family pour forth in gifts, in lieu of words too rarely spoken.  My significance is savored while sampling Peter's homemade offering of chocolate chip cookies.  Christian values re-kindle as I welcome the angry driver into my parking line and happily greet the ubiquitous Salvation Army red kettle.  Just hearing that bell lightens my heart.  When the Harry and David pear box arrives at my door, I know I am warmly remembered.   The smells of Christmas infuse me with a sense of home and memories: spruce, mulling spices, crackling fires, and fragrant candles. Poinsettias signal a season of singing, sharing and serving.  Christmas cards remind me of the many souls scattered along my journey in life.

Of course this is an embellishment of my real life.  But Christmas is about decorating our lives to glow with generous spirits.  Our welcome wreaths greet those who have hurt us in the past. Christmas is a time of connection -- a time for stringing together the disparate parts of our lives into a garland of gratitude.  Christmas is a season for counting blessings for whatever gifts, no matter how meager, we have received.  Christmas brings the sounds of joy, rejoicing in the knowledge that we are all God's sons and daughters given the gift of life.  Let us break bread together this Christmas, praying for peace and goodwill to all mankind.  Christmas -- A Time for Everyone!

Merry Christmas!