Merry Christmas

Tis the season where spiritual symbols abound--
lit candles from Hanukkah;
fires in the fireplace,
a myriad of lights from Saturnalia;
A tree from paganism;
Nativities and Advents
from the story of the Christ child.

Tis a season of dichotomies--
with wondrous gifts under brightly lit trees
except when there is no money.
Bountifully laden dinner tables for the family to share--
or a lonely table when there is no one there.
A loving time with that special someone--
or the time you miss them most.

Tis a season of love, giving, and magic.
Of a Santa who brings gifts, asking nothing in return.
Of the Christ who came as the ultimate gift
of divine relationship to man.
How did a holiday season about this man,
who was born and lived so simply,
become such a time of excess and opulence?

Well never mind all that.
Tis the season for dreams, peace and love.
Of a new year soon to begin
where we can make it the one
our dreams and wishes come true.
Could peace come to earth?
We start with our small place in it.