I love Christmas for the music, the lights, the significance to my faith tradition, and the get-togethers with family and friends. I love the moments of contemplation as one year passes and another begins. I love the intermission in my work life and the snowy blanket that settles in and calls to me to go outside and play. But I am much less fond of the forces that work to usurp the holidays for the sake of shopping and buying stuff and mindless consumerism.
Years ago, a gift to me from my daughter was a simple handwritten card. The card is from the Carter Center and the front has reproduction of a dove that was painted by President Carter. It's printed with soy ink on recycled stock. I keep it in my desk. Here is what it says (spelling and grammar as written)...
Dear DAD,
For Christmas, you told me you wanted an end to poverty, so I bought a flock of chickens through Heifer*. You said you wanted to help those awkword kids sitting alone at the lunch table, so, starting January 2nd, I will sit with this one loner girl I know for 3 weeks. You said you wanted old men to stop starting wars, so I sent 5 letters to important politicians, saying that war is a last resort, and one to George Bush, shaming him. Merry Christmas.
*Heifer International:
http://www.heifer.org/
However you celebrate and whatever the season means to you, may you find joy and peace and may you be a blessing to someone who needs one.
Happy Holidays!