Revisiting Some Old Holiday Discussion

A couple of years ago, I was talking to an acquaintance about Christmas.  We were discussing the insanity of thought as it revolves around the holidays.  We determined, at that point, that red and green stands for blood and money... as he broke into his Christmas rendition of, "It's the most flammable time of the year".  Beautiful, is it not.


Yes I do have my spiritual conceptions that revolve around Christmas, although even if you don't, isn't it supposed to be a season of giving of yourself?  Right?  But look around, it's all about materialism, unreal expectations, the consequent depressions from either not having the money or not having the loved ones to share it with, and it's all mass produced by the machine, the media.  They tell us you are only as good as the Lexus you purchased for your partner with the big red ribbon in the driveway on Christmas morning.  Ummm, I guess that would imply that the rest of us economically challenged individuals and families are huge piles of steaming shit on those beautifully snow covered driveways.  You know why?  Because I can't afford a 1980 poo brown Nova for myself, let alone a Lexus for someone else.  Can you?  And, if you could... would you?  Or, would you do the smart thing and keep that money for something that would increase in value so that someday you will have a cushion instead of a car that depreciates the moment you drive the 20 feet to the driveway of the dealership?


Listen people, you don't need a Lexus, a diamond eternity ring, an iPad, or any of those other things to tell the people in your world how special they are.  Do it everyday.  Make connections with people and nurture them into relationships by the most simple of means.  Call, don't text.  Send an actual Birthday card NO e-CARDS and follow up with a call.  Reach out to the new girl at work and ask her to coffee, then set a day and time and actually do it.  Love is not a word, it's an action.  


If you believe as I believe celebrate the teacher everyday,  if you want to use this one day we are allowed  to talk to him without being name called by the world.... DO IT!  But, remember, it doesn't take money to do that either.  Have a birthday party, make cookies with the people you love, make paper hats, decorate them with sprinkles, sing Christmas songs(badly even), that make you smile.  Tell Jesus just how glad you are that he was born, then turn to those that are crazy enough to love you just as you are, and tell them just how glad you are that they were born.


That's Christmas... make love an action.  Love all those you can and if you don't have family go make one!  There are people like me out there, lonely and friendless in a "new" town and people a lot less fortunate.  Go be an angel... help and love a stranger, just because someone loves you.  


I challenge you, be an angel not an ass.  You don't need all that materialism to volunteer at a soup kitchen, go to a children's hospital and play games or bring toys, go to a women's shelter and give love to a women who doesn't yet know how to love herself.  Or, if you're lucky enough to have them, hug your mom, your child/children, spouse/partner, friend, or a total stranger who looks as lost as we have been a time or twenty!