We are entering the holiday season full throttle. Never mind that Christmas decorations have graced store shelves since August. There is no grace in consumerizing even more of the American way. It’s painful to see the melange of Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving turkey crafts, and Christmas ornaments all fighting for shelf space. Could we please focus on one holiday at a time? When did America become ADD over holidays? The “war on Christmas” is not waged by non-Christians. It is waged by retailers and credit card companies. No one is removing “Christ” from Christmas. In fact, we as a society are simply annotating it to read “Christ-How-Did-My-Credit-Card-Bill-Get-So-Big-Mas.”
One more thing before I start baking some pies…
It’s cliche to scramble to volunteer this time of year. Our community needs us year round. The real lesson in giving comes at times there is no credit given, no fanfare, no crossing it off the holiday to-do list. Instead, volunteer all year long without making a big to do of it.
The homeless are still seeking shelter in January.
The hungry still yearning in February.
The veterans still reeling in March.
The abused still hurting in April.
The refugees still fleeing in May.
The shelter animals still longing in June.
The sick still straining in July.
The lonely still hoping in August.
The migrant laborers still toiling in September.
The teachers still nurturing in October.
The students still stressing in November.
The disenfranchised still struggling in December.
There are myriad ways to use your time, talents, and voice throughout the year. Look around to see ways big and small to make a difference. Instead of gifts, we can give more of ourselves. The word “gift” in German means “poison.” Seems fitting as we commercialize all that is sacred.