Have you heard the reports of this year's "bleak" Christmas? They're hard to miss. Things are worse than they have been in decades, according to the media and the retail industry. It truly is an indictment of how we've chosen to live over the last many years that the main indicator of how good a Christmas is seems to be how much money we are spending at the mall. We're so used to hearing how great things are when the Dow is up, and how worried we should be when profits for corporations are down that we risk losing sight of what makes Christmas meaningful and rich if we listen.
Are we to believe what media reports are emphasizing?
My dear aunt died this year, but my mom is healthy and well this year, as is my dad; we are separated from long-time friends this Christmas, but they are still thinking of us and will welcome us home in 2009; my children will be paying on our outrageous national debt for decades to come, but many fellow citizens are working hard to make things better for our country.
Instead of measuring the tone of this Christmas by economic indicators, I pray that we all will kick those superficial measures out the door into the snow! Let us instead joyfully embrace and welcome in the treasures of the health and presence of family members, the warmth of friendships renewed and nurtured, the opportunity for laughter and joy in the midst of any situation, the ability to lend a hand to someone who needs help, and the hope that there are real possibilities for change and growth in 2009.
Love and blessings of joy to you!
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