Subject: Huh. That was unexpected.
Author:
Posted on: 2022-12-01 18:31:15 UTC

Sorry, AW. Christmas will never be about the birth of Jesus for me.

But it isn't a capitalist extravaganza for me, either.

In my Unitarian Universalist tradition, we do tell the nativity story, but it's taken as symbolic of the miracle that is the birth of any child. We also remember that many, many children are still born in humble and even loveless circumstances today, without it being part of some beautiful fairytale where strangers turn up with valuable gifts. At least Jesus' mom and even his non-biological dad wanted him—some babies don't even have that much going for them.

Those of us who can are encouraged to support organizations such as UNICEF that work to improve living conditions for children around the world. Link provided so that anyone able and so moved may do so themselves.

But we all have our own struggles, and sometimes the best we can do is just keep striving to live our values in our everyday lives. That's important. That matters. That is worthy. Never feel ashamed about doing the little things. Take it from another elf:

There is naught that you can do, other than to resist [the Enemy], with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone.

—Elrond Peredhil

Whatever the Enemy is to you, you are not alone.

~Neshomeh

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