Two more sleeps 'till SANTA!

Christmas is right on our door step and I have been thinking on the day and what it means. To the Christian faithful it is a celebration of the birth of Christ. Although most theological scholars believe that he was born sometime in the spring. Nevertheless we use this day every year to celebrate his birth.

To non-believers it's a day that is highly commercialised and a time of great stress as we dash from store to store, fighting the mobs trying to find the perfect gift for someone that we hope is doing the same thing for us. It is a day that most get off work and for those who don't it means a lot more money to do the same job as you would normally do, but someone decided this day should be a holiday (the word is derived from Holy Day) and you should be compensated for having to work it.

Some people shop all year round and avoid the mobs (these people are generally smarter than most and are also usually women). Most people will also tell you that it's the giving of gifts that makes the day rather than the receiving of gifts. Tell that to a small child and see how far it gets you!

However I digress. December 25th is undeniably Christian, whether you are or not. The whole day is fraught with Christian symbolism. From the lights on the tree, to candy canes (the Indiana story is not true if you are looking it up), even to the giving of gifts. Incidentally, my beloved Jaci for as long as she can remember says that she and her family only got three gifts on Christmas; because if three gifts was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for them.

I love Chistmas and since I have been married, the day has been developing meanings than run deeper than the superficial. The more I look, the more I find and more than ever I am seeing how the feelings of the day should be kept throughout the year.

How would the world be I wonder? If everyone that celebrates Christmas kept the spirit year round, how much brighter would it be? Instead of standing back and critiquing, would we offer more hands to help?

Most non-Christian faiths have celebrations around this time as well. The Jewish have Chanukah which is technically a festival. The giving of gifts during this time I have been told is the Americanized version. Traditionally the only gift is Chanukah geld, which today usually means foil covered chocolate (or chocolate covered money to Karyn). During this time there is merry making, and eating, and wishing others well.

Islam has Eid ul-Fitr at this time (usually shortened to Eid). This commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is marked with celebration and feasting. Eid is a time to come together as a community and to renew friendship and family ties. This is a time for peace for all Muslims in the world to devote to prayers and mutual well-being.

Call me crazy but this all sounds eerily similar. So imagine if you will, if the spirit of Christmas, Chanukah, and Eid ul-Fitr were kept the year round? You know what might happen? Maybe some Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men?

At any rate, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I sincerely hope the Spirit fills you with as much happiness as it does me.

Be well all.