Thoughts on the holidays for ad from the non religious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDzOAxVqfFA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDzOAxVqfFA)
There once was a holiday that was very merry, it originally celebrated the days beginning to get longer, a light at the end of the tunnel holiday.
Later it was decided this holiday should celebrate a birthday, some would say another light at the end of a tunnel.
People gave gifts from their excess to those who had little so we all might make it into the new year together.
As time passed the holiday became more about showing you had excess to give away, the gifts didn't have to be things another needed but simply a display of wealth.
Today there is little thought of the length of days or the needs of others, only how many people are looking at our latest video and what other people are going to give us.
There are still some people who celebrate just being alive and do what they can to help others make it through another year. It's often unpleasant work and rarely involves colorful wrapping paper, but it's to these people I raise my cup of tea and contemplate a modest but delicious dinner tonight consisting of produce from our land and labor, and more importantly, the generosity of others.
To one and all, may you always receive what you need and awake each day with joy at the dawn of a new day.
Well said, jdurand.