Christmas Thoughts

Finally moments of Christmas day, following my old solo tradition....a final quiet hour tucked into the couch pondering upon the glow of the Christmas tree, the blessings of life, and the desire to lift the want and need of so many of those who are walking upon this earth....

No matter how joyful the season due to the birth of a most magnificent gift, I'm always left pondering on the messages that he came to this earth to teach us--that of loving and providing and caring so deeply and profusely for the brothers and sisters who walk this earth with us.

A rather relaxing day begun with traditional coffee and sticky buns and a few opening of presents (mainly socks under our tree!), conversation, cooking, a meal with friends, and the evening wrapped up together with a viewing of my old holiday favorite A Christmas Carol....

This particular year we watched the 1984 version and for the first time the scene where Scrooge is exposed to the ghoul-like children Ignorance and Want struck a cord. Why I never quite got all the symbolism this movie provides I'll never know....but this year it made sense just why this particular movie reaches straight down into my core. Ignorance and Want which can be the ruin of the best of men and which encourages many and most of us toward indifference to others in this world. Ignorance and Want which lead us to make poor choices. Ignorance and Want which lead us to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to our fellows.

So frequently I get caught up in the ease of Ignorance and Want, but how much I do not want to be within its grasps...

And so this holiday season--frequently full of materialism---I am grateful for the simple blessings that surround. The large items: Family, friends, work, passion, health, love and on down to the small: lights a' twinklin', fuzzy blankets, warm socks, dog sighs. I am reminded that to those whom much has been given, so easy it should be too give and from whom much can be expected.

And to each of us regardless of our stead in life, well Tiny Tim summed it up best when he said, "God bless us, EVERYONE!"

So in this holiday season and as our Christmas comes to a close, let's head into a new year thankful for all that we do have, expressive to those who have done much for us, and open and willing to give to those who could benefit from our abilities and gifts. May each of you be passing through your own version of a beautiful, silent night headed toward a most blessed and fortunate year ahead.