Not long ago on this site I told you that Christmas isn't the exclusive property of any religion, in spite of the name, and explained why. Even a sarcastic friend of mine who delusionally believes he's smarter than I am (don't worry, Steve Langer, Ph.D., I'm not going to mention your name) told me it was well researched and well written. But please understand that I still wish all truly devout Christians a joyous and holy experience of this special day. If Christmas is only a secular winter holiday to you, may it be a happy one, and a time to wish for more warmth in your own heart, in your family, in our national life, and in the role of our nation in the world.
If you are a believer, at this darkest time of the year, when the bitterest cold approaches, take some time to pray. Not for your football team to win -- would the God you believe in care about that kind of crap? I suggest praying that our leaders be guided by the highest principles of service to our nation, that they make wise and selfless decisions without concerns for party or powerful supporters. Pray that the richest of our nation be as humble as the least fortunate among us, and that the poorest enjoy the same legal rights and privileges as the richest. Pray that the day come soon when no one has to go to bed hungry.
But even if you're not a believer, how about just meditating for a while, and getting in touch with that part of yourself that knows you could be better and do better. Or whether you believe or not, or whatever you believe in, taking time to think about those things in your world that the smartest, most moral and socially responsible part of you knows should be different, and asking yourself what you can do about them.
There's an old story of a Jewish rabbi who looked around, and troubled by the pain, suffering, and wrongdoing in his world, prayed and asked God "Why don't you do something about all this?"
According to the story, the rabbi actually heard an answer from God. This doesn't happen very often unless you've had too much egg nog, but in this story The Holy One actually spoke, saying "I did do something, rabbi: I sent you."
At some level, that's what mid-winter festivals are about. What are we, as humans, willing to do for our own species. From when we first appeared on earth, our survival has been tenuous. We're born weak and defenseless, and it takes years for our infants to become self-sufficient. We're not nearly as strong as any other animal our size, we're not natural swimmers, we're vulnerable in many ways...well, you know all that. And yet, we're the only species that can go to the depths of the ocean or the top of Mt. Everest. Humans live inside the Arctic Circle, and in the hottest desert. We've walked on the moon, and we're taking reservations for Mars.
All because we're a highly social species. Ants cooperate, but they do it instinctively. Only humans have such power to work together planfully, adaptively, creatively. It's a great gift. "Rugged individuality" gets headlines, but in the overall scheme of things, it doesn't lead to much except extinction.
However you think of it, however you choose to honor it, Christmas is a wonderful time to think about what you're going to do for humankind.
Whoever, whatever he was, Jesus would be pleased.
Merry Whatever!
PKF