Food for thought

More and more posts are popping up, as experience has taught me to expect so, about boycotting businesses that are open on Thanksgiving Day. But didn't I see you at the convenient store or Stater Bros last Christmas morning? Did you watch football on Thanksgiving? It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas? Those athletes are working hard as are the cameramen, refs, concessions and security personnel, producers, and a multitude more which I have not imagined. Doctors, firemen and police officers, janitors in hospitals and help in the jails: All necessities for which we conveniently pivot away from our former convictions. 

Some people don't celebrate the holidays the way you do, or they adjust their schedules to celebrate. Remember how the original feast was three days long? Was it even on a Thursday? (I don't know.) Was Jesus actually born in December? I'm pretty sure he wasn't. We have conveniently customized sacred events to be what and when we want them to be.  So what's wrong with others doing the same?  If we had remained true to the actual feast d'facade, deciding that its observation should be three whole days, we'd have to wait til Sunday to do our Black Friday shopping. How poignant would Elvis have been singing about having a Green Christmas Without You? What if we couldn't dream of a white Christmas, and had to dream of a green one, instead?

I used to sometimes really enjoy working on holidays and I'm happy for my youngest son when he has to work inconvenient Mother's Day shifts, or til very late on Christmas Eve, a he inherited my love of dashing madly through the bustles of busy-ness while polishing his art of service. He respects and honors what he is giving to people, and takes great pride in the joy that they receive even though many of them never realize the depth of his sincerity.

We have chosen and assigned what and how we celebrate. Whether that meaning is religious, financial or familial, it IS the reason for whomever holds it. If I customize anything as I see fit, and expect everyone else to fall in between the lines of my convenient rigidity, I'm robbing you of your right for your own meaningful choice. I'm not sure why we worry so much about what others choose, anyway, since we will never fathom the depth of another's need or the actuality of their heart. But that's a topic for a whole new ranting. 

When you call your loved ones and friends this holiday season, be thankful that you can. But also whisper a thanks to the person who's keeping that phone line working. Be grateful when you turn your oven on, for those who are keeping it on. (You're probably cooking, I'm guessing.) Will you drive to be with loved ones? You might need gas.  What if you crash your car going to visit granny, will you wait until tomorrow for a tow truck? I truly pray you won't need an EMT, as well. But they will be there, giving you their best when you are not equipped to even think about them. (Thank you!)

However it is that you will celebrate these holidays, please know that I hope you are fortunate enough to both give and receive love, regardless of the date, time, venue or tradition. And if you decide to attend or watch a football game or shop at Wal-Mart, I think you CAN give thanks- out loud and openly, or quietly mumbling to every cashier, attendant, utility worker or yourself for providing a time and place for everything we mean to enjoy.

"It's in the giving, that we receive."