At Odds with Christmas

I alternatively look forward to Christmas and dread it.  How can that be?  I have so many fond memories of Christmases past.  Its difficult not to hope to repeat them.  And yet I know that is not possible.  And so I dread the next one because it won't measure up.  I tell myself that is okay.  It really is just another day.  Jesus wasn't really born on December 25.  Probably not even in winter.  It is an arbitrary date.  A date chosen by the Catholic church to co-opt Saturnalia and Winter Solstice paganist celebration.  Yet...

Yes, Christmas has more meaning than that.  It is not the date we celebrate it that matters.  It is the spirit...the Christmas spirit that matters.   And strangely enough even though the holiday seems rather  sad at times, it really is just a reminder of what is important.  Love, light, sharing.  Giving.  Keeping the flame of hope alive.  That is what this advent thing is about.  That is what I have learned on this year's journey through advent.  

The time is at hand.  Let us rejoice.

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