It's Not about the Eonomy, Stupid!

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Peace of mind is not possible without peace in the heart.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The days proceed as a parade of surprise, wonder and enjoyment.
Whom shall I thank?
I see beauty all around me. I know love and friendship. I meet ordinary yet amazing people
Whom shall I thank?
I hear and read stories about people who do or have done great things for the betterment of humanity.
Whom shall I thank?
I live in a time of awesome hope and awful danger, a time that stirs anticipation, anxiety and high energy.
Whom shall I thank?
I’ll offer my thanks to you, for you rule in and over and through it all.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Show me the money!”

[Nope. Nothing about payment, bonus or reward in His contract.]

D. Blog: Not Exactly Humbug

The point of all this Christmas hoopla grows duller for me each year. I “get”, appreciate, and truly enjoy the emphasis on family and friends. Most of the rest of it? Not so much. Santa and Ho Ho Ho? Nope. Not as we get him. Why, even Buddhists, Taoists, and Communists dress up in Santa costumes. He’s been transformed from a Christian saint into a chubby party-fantasy guy, totally cut off from Nicholas of Mira. Star of Bethlehem? Physical nonsense, unless we think the Magi had an On Star system to guide them. Holy Child born in a stable? I like the symbolism, of course, but it has no basis in fact.

Christ come on Earth on our behalf? Now that I do believe -- with all that is in me. But with the modern Christmas phenomenon, we’re hard-pressed to get to this layer of ultimate meaning. The “newsworthy” meaning has to do with how retailers fare in the great season of buying. To that a definite "Bah, Humbug!" is in order.