Christmas is a gift and is about giving. It should remind us of one of life’s paradoxes. It should offer respite to those who have worked hard and those who feel trapped in a cycle of stress, giving them time to catch their breath. Christmas is a gift to those who suffer from the gloomy weather, the dark days and the worries that linger in their hearts. It is a gift to those with families, to remember life’s basics, rejoice with children, and help them wonder and laugh.
The story of the God who presents himself as a child also calls for humility and compassion, for a look to others who may not know that it is Christmas or may exclude it out of grief. It is a gift to those who do not believe, to include them in the spirit of charity, and a reminder to the believers to be generous.
We are one humanity, no matter what cultures we belong to, the colour of our skin or any other differences we may have. So, I can say with full conviction to my sisters and brothers, my family, my friends, my colleagues and my neighbours:
That is a strange question, Dan. Have you and Bob had a falling out?
Let’s all gather around the lovely crackling fire with our mugs of hot cocoa with marshmallows atop and get this all out in the open and work things out.
Work things out?
I try to do that every day.
It’s part of my practice.
I haven’t talked to Bob a lot,
but each time, we were on good terms,
as far as i can tell.
I have come to expect people considering me strange and unusual.
I feel now that i am a bit parahuman.
I don’t know how it all got to this single point.
But the only thing stopping me is death via old age.
My last Christmas was glorious.
Jesus was / is glorious.
But he had a mortal form, too.
There is hope for all mortals.
Life is a free gift,
beyond measurable value.
I am sorry to hear that, unless it is because they consider you unique in a good way.
But if it is because they don’t think of you …how can you possibly know that? If you have good reason to assume it, and it bothers you, there are ways to counteract that. Would you be interested in hearing them?
