Thank you

Today I am grateful for you all. Thank you for sharing life together with me. Whether you read this on Thanksgiving 2012 or on any other day. You matter to me.

Gifts

Advent Conspiracy has given me much to think about this Christmas, and I would like to propose a different take on Christmas gifts.  Rather than comment on the rampant consumerism that has taken over the North American celebration of this special day, I have realized that we as Christians can take a different look at gifts and gift giving in light of the gift of being in a country such as ours.  We have so much already to be thankful for just existing in a wonderful country like the States. Christmas should be another opportunity to appreciate all that we already have.  Much like Thanksgiving, this perspective on Christmas can offer a chance to reflect on what really matters in our lives.  I would propose some of these Christmas gifts for which we all can be grateful.

~Health, when we are fortunate enough to experience it daily.

~Fresh, clean drinking water.

~Food so plentiful our homeless are well fed by global standards.

~Plumbed, sanitary dwellings.~Warm places to rest our heads.

~Clothes, ample enough to cover ourselves a month or more.

~Peace on a national, state and local level.

~Family.  Friends.  Neighbors.  Community.~Vehicles – one per adult driver is common.

~Paved roads.  Public parks.  Ample, reliable utilities.

~Music, movies, books galore.

~Computer technology which makes time and space easily manipulated.

~Information so ample that no human brain could fathom its depths.

This Christmas let’s reflect upon what gifts we have and share these joys with those we love.  One of the greatest gifts around is inner peace.  Without these gifts it would be difficult to remain tranquil and focused. The irony is that we as Americans can be more unsettled than our developing world neighbors.  We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season.  With all of these gifts which we normally take for granted, let’s give freely, knowing that we have more as Americans than the multitudes in slums scattered throughout South America, Africa, and Asia.  The least we could do is extend our extra resources this Christmas, remembering what we already have been given, and make a difference in someone else’s life who may live without one or more of these luxuries.