Tidings of Comfort and Joy

When I was a little girl, the wonder of Christmas wasn’t just about getting presents from a big, hairy fella in a red suit with a penchant for chimney crawling.  Oh sure that was pretty exciting, but it was also knowing that people all over the world were gathering with joy and good will in their hearts and enjoying their families, eating good food, and celebrating the idea of loving one another and caring for each other.  There is something about being a part of an event that so many people are sharing that I have always found to be a very powerful experience.

I think we humans forget about just how connected we are to one another.   We are all in this whole experience together.  We spend far too much time criticizing our differences and not enough time finding our common ground.  And our common ground is vast - far greater than our differences.

You don’t have to be a Christian, or religious to appreciate what this time of year represents.  As Clark Griswold states at the end of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, “It means something different to everyone.”

To me, it’s about being thankful for our health and our blessings and being together with those we love, paying tribute to those we have lost while celebrating our children and the promise they hold of a brighter, more compassionate and enlightened future.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.  May you feel loved and comforted this holiday season.