Christmas

Anyone who knows me knows that at an emotional level, the Christmas season is difficult for me. It is among the times I feel most lonely, despite wonderful and loving family and friends. It isn't anyone's fault; it's me, and no one else. Since it is not my custom to hide my feelings, those in my circle of friends and family know that I find the Christmas season rough, and they know why.

Nevertheless, there is something truly magical about this season; for me, it's filled with signs and portents telling us not just how we should be(have) at this time of year, but year-round. And more frequently than at any other time, Christmas time is when I'm most likely to see people at their best, with the divine spark burning brightly in them and illuminating the world with buttery light. Granted, it isn't everyone—sadly, the season brings out the worst in some folk and there's no getting around the the fact that as a species, we humans aren't so good at being noble—but it's more than at any other time of the year, and it's a blessing.

The catch is that, now that I know we can be(have) nobly and generously and kindly and wonderfully, I am left wondering why we aren't like that all the time?

It's like, once you do it correctly once (whatever "it" is), you can no longer excuse yourself with, "I can't," because you have demonstrated that in fact you can, and parents, teachers, and bosses don't forget.

In this season I celebrate the birth of Jesus, who I try to follow. I try to make manifest the word of the angels who, according to the Gospel of Luke sang on Jesus' natal day: "...on earth peace, good will toward men." Maybe they were describing God's perspective toward humanity, but based on what Jesus did in his life, I think that to strive for peace on earth, and to maintain good will toward men (and women), is a pretty righteous thing to do.

So I invite you to spread the love this season as practice for spreading it every season. Do love—act in loving ways toward all your neighbors, whoever they may be, wherever you find them—don't get so caught up in the commercial aspects of this time that it brings out the worst in you when it could be bringing out the best. Let the light of the divine spark warm every heart. And once you've proven, to us and to yourself, that you can be noble and gracious and good in this season, extend it into the next season and the next and the next. As Scrooge said he would do, keep Christmas in your heart the year round. Or if not Christmas (because you have different beliefs than me), keep good in your heart. This old world of ours would benefit from whatever good we can bring.