Last night I got out the catalogs I'd been stockpiling. I was thinking about doing some Christmas shopping.

Of course, I might still want to go to the mall, at least once, for the sights and sounds, and a hot pretzel with cheese, and a Dr. Pepper or root beer.

But I don't have to do that anymore to prepare for the holidays. I'm not even sure I have to do any “shopping.”

In fact, I don't know if it's the cleaner air out here in the country, or what, that's getting to me, but I'm thinking about making some pretty drastic changes in my holiday celebration. I think I want to back off from so much of the traditional gift giving, and remember with action the real meaning of Christmas.

Don't know how to do that just yet. I don't really want to cut back on what I do for my grandchildren. I just don't want such gestures tied to Christ's birthday.

I want Dylan and Elise to know whose day it is. I want others to remember. I want to get off the commercial merry-go-round.

I want to remember Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and every day. I want Him to be the center of all my celebrations, of all my days.

I recall as a child wanting every day to be just like Christmas (not toys and gifts, but the warmth and acceptance that reigned, the family stuff...).

Just recently, a friend expressed similar wishes. He made a sobering statement that has only helped reinforce so many of the feelings I'm having lately. He said the one good thing left about Christmas is that, for just a little while, people try to be nice to one another.

Has it really come to that? Are we so maxed out emotionally, physically, and financially that we can't be nice to others anymore?

Was it that way when I was a child? Is that why I wished everyday could be just like Christmas?

This friend who is so opposed to modern-day Christmas celebrations doesn't even like Christmas trees and Santa Claus. “How can you expect me to,” he asked, “when the lights of all the trees and other decorations outshine everything that might be out to commemorate Christ's birth? And Santa Claus is a lie....”

Gulp! That one was hard for me to take. Santa, a lie?

I'm struggling. What happens when we allow the good to outshine the best? Have we already found out? Is it too late to turn things around?

I know I don't want to give up my tree. It holds too many memories between its branches. Every year in the glow of its lights I sit, when all grows calm and quiet, to remember Christmases past. It is a good time.

I like to bake lots of goodies, too, and have friends and family in for lots of hugs and remembrances. It is good for me to do this.

I enjoy almost all the sights and sounds. The lights and the music are good.

Did I say almost?

I did, didn't I?

I suppose that brings me to what bothers me most about the way we celebrate Christmas. For those of us who have family, and good food, and money to buy gifts for those we love, it is a good time.

But for those who have little, or nothing, or no one, it is not a good time. It is a very, very bad time. In fact, their loss, loneliness or deprivation is enhanced many times over during the holidays.

I want to do something about that. I might not be able to do much, but I want to do something. I will let you know how these thoughts progress in the coming days.

If you understand, and want to redefine, with me, the real meaning of Christmas, write to me at P.O. Box 246, Gay, GA 30218. Let me know what you, too, will do, in the real spirit of Christ, to make it Christmas for someone who otherwise might not enjoy the day or season.

What would He do, on His special day?

Now, I'm not asking you to boast. Not at all. Just tell me what you think, and what you feel you can do. You don't even have to sign your letter. Remember, He said, “Inasmuch as you do it to one of the least of these, you do it to me.”

There is no reason we cannot redefine what it means to celebrate Christmas. We have the power. Perhaps we can reclaim the best without losing the good. I don't know. We'll see....

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