There are certain activities, songs, food/drink, and traditions that help me get into the Christmas spirit. A lot of it is kind of frivolous, like watching the movie Scrooged with Bill Murray or the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. My wife loves watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, but then she’s much more sophisticated than me.
What’s not frivolous, though, is something else that I do this time of year: remember loved ones who serve to protect our country. Many are deployed and away from their families during this joyous season. My thoughts, prayers and thanks are with them and their families.
I’m grateful for the incredible freedoms we have: the freedom of speech, to worship (or not), and to pursue our unique happiness. While much has been said that we are a politically divided country, now is a time to remind ourselves that our love for each other is far more enduring than politics.
It’s a time of kindness and a reminder to be kind every day. We’re all human, which often means that forgiveness, especially of our own selves, can be difficult. However, those self-critical thoughts are rarely productive. I find that I’m most successful when my thoughts and actions are focused on making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Which leads me to be grateful for the people in my life, including you. One of my favorite movies (though not a Christmas movie) is Cast Away with Tom Hanks. The film is a potent reminder that we are not meant for isolation. We have God-given talents that need to be used. This often takes faith and courage. The only real failure is when we stop trying.
I wish you the best, whatever that means to you personally, this holiday season. And I eagerly look forward to a bright future as we enter the second quartile of this century. I truly believe that better days are ahead for us all because that is our Creator’s promise.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
