Merry Christmas 2013

Today is Christmas Day. It's the magical day when everyone is filled with love and goodwill and generosity*, unlike the other 364 days of the  year (365 in leap years). It's the day when we leave out cookies and milk for Santa, in the hope that trusting children won't get wise to the deception for a few more years.

Unfortunately, the love, goodwill, and generosity part isn't as much in evidence this year as it was in the past. A useless, do-nothing Congress has completed its year of bloviation and chicanery by adjourning and congratulating itself for almost doing its job. The nation is divided over many issues, and all too many people approach their side of the division with an "I'm OK, you can go to hell" attitude. This year, Santa's bag probably contains a powerful weapon for which he has a concealed carry permit ... and he doesn't even need to conceal it in some parts of the country.

There was a time when the traditional Christmas story from the second chapter of Matthew was the norm ...

2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 
2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 
2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 
2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 
2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 
2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Along with the timeless lyrics of Irving Berlin ...

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the treetops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may all your Christmases be white."

This year, the Christmas isn't white (at least here in Northern Virginia), and the peace on earth, goodwill toward men thing isn't all that much in evidence.

But for my part, I'll try to keep the joy in my heart and pretend that I'm still the same wide-eyed boy that enjoyed the white Christmases and family love of middle-class western Pennsylvania so many years ago. And I'll wish all of you all the very best of the season and my hopes for a happy, healthy, prosperous, and safe new year.

And as a gift to you, here's one of my very favorite Christmas treats - Dylan Thomas reading his wonderful narrative poem, A Child's Christmas in Wales ...

God bless us, every one!

Have a very Merry Christmas! More thoughts coming.

Bilbo

* Except the GOP.