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Rhona Canoy

SO… It’s that time of year once again when I’m called upon to give Christmas messages. It’s gotten to the point where I can do it in my sleep, and the words roll fluidly off my tongue. Delivering the last message for the season, I listened to myself. The unhinged part of me that stands apart from the experience snickered and whispered, “You really don’t believe what you’re saying, do you?” And I realized that unhinged Rhona spoke the truth.

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“Christmas is not about the gifts and material things…”—yes, it is. Our children have been so brainwashed to look forward to Christmas because it’s the one time (aside from a birthday) when they can ask for anything from Santa, because Mr and Mrs Claus are more than glad to oblige. Expensive gifts and wish lists are more than possibilities, they are eagerly anticipated. Mom and Dad are not exempt from this sensation either because it’s the time of year to give the other bitter half what they’ve been pining for, and God help you if wifey (usually the more demanding one) doesn’t get what she wants. Men usually just go ahead and buy their own gifts without the wife knowing.

“Christmas is about spreading love and charity to our less fortunate brothers and sisters…”—yes, it is. And it’s usually the only time when the aforementioned love and charity are spread around. I can understand the gifts. But the (wink wink) feeding? Why only at Christmas time? Why not quarterly? Or monthly? Or when the spirit moves us? Or is our spirit only moved at Christmastime because we’re trying so hard to earn pogi points with our God? The same goes for medical missions and similar “charitable” activities. Well, okay. Maybe those aren’t at Christmas, but certainly only once a year. To my doctor and dentist friends, don’t you guys earn more than enough cookie dough to offer their services and pharma samples for free every so often? Although in fairness, I do have a dentist friend who is dear to my heart who goes off on medical dental missions too often to count because she says it makes her happy.

Yes, Christmas, according to what organized religion teaches, should be about love and compassion, in re-echoing the life of Jesus. So I’m a bit bothered and bewildered (I’m saving bewitched for another occasion). The hopelessly hopeful me looks forward to Christmas every day—kindness to our fellowman, generosity where it is needed, compassion when it is absolutely necessary. Every single day. Maybe not 24/7, but when the opportunity arises. I’m not talking about the car-window-tapping kind demanders of charity who get mad when all you have is twenty-five centavos. I’m talking about the anonymous acts of kindness, one act at a time, without pictures or Facebook posts. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a smile, or a simple please, or thank you. Most of all, to give respect… just because. But then my perspective on this matter is a little skewed because I’m not an organizedeligion type of person, although I like to think of myself as deeply spiritual. I’m sure somewhere out there, The Great One has a daily laugh over our one-sided conversations.

And so, I wish for one and all a joyous, meaningful, loving, compassionate Christmas, with the hope that it last throughout next year.

That is my one little wish.

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