“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come around apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that — as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people . . . as if they were fellow-passengers. . . .” — Ingrid Van Mater quoting Scrooge’s nephew via Dickens in Mankind Is Our Business
I wish that all men and women on Planet Earth would be of the “one consent” Scrooge’s nephew spoke of in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Alas, that scenario is the stuff of fiction. But I can’t help believing that the vast majority of the 8 billion people here yearn for a world of peace and love, and that it is only a small minority of people who are the troublemakers — and that we give them far too much power to wreak havoc.
We who yearn for a world of harmony need to wrest control of it from the troublemakers, and create a civilization in which no one goes hungry or without the necessities of a good life. It is within our power to make it happen; there is enough to go around, if only we have the will.
I think that’s what so many of us mean when we wish people — often complete strangers — a Merry Christmas. The day is about so much more than unwrapping gifts and dinner with family and friends –and, perhaps, listening to a sermon in a church remembering the sage Christ who spread the message of peace and love.
It is about brotherly/sisterly love.
So, in that spirit, I wish you a Merry Christmas.
— Jillian
Top photo credit: Origami48616 via Foter.com / CC BY
Bottom photo credit: peregrine blue via Foter.com / CC BY
Jillian Page 
And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you JP %*
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In the spirit of Festivus (Dec. 23rd’s airing of grievances), I would like to point out that there is no “War on Christmas” in America. From November 1st – January 15th there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world’s major religions, YET the songs you hear on the radio & in stores are *Christmas* songs. Christmas decorations throw up all over America every year, but you feel left out because someone said, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”?! Because they were trying to be inclusive of our diverse American population and not make an assumption about you? Try being part of a minority faith tradition in America in December and then you can talk about feeling left out. End rant. Happy Festivus!
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