Image by Noël Zia Lee via Flickr

This morning, December 24, 2009, I woke up with the thought in mind to write something seasonal.  A nice article about the myriad traditions celebrated at this season would be nice, I thought.

A quick internet search revealed that this was territory well covered thrice over, and tucked in around the edges.  Whatever ones personal beliefs may be, the shortest day and longest night of the year has a way of getting ones attention.

Image via Wikipedia

Here, in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the more northern parts of it, the encroaching cold, the precipitation, the need to heat our homes and to travel with care intrude upon the most calloused firm notice that Nature, if not Creator, certainly reigns supreme at this season.

As I look out my window this morning, snow has not yet fallen.  In this part of the world, a brown Christmas is not unusual.  Instead, we get dreary, dismal rain which may have the unhappy circumstance of turning into ice.  The temperature outside is 41F, rather warm for this time of year, but predictions indicate that it will fall to the low twenties toward the weekend. 

With U.S. and world economies faltering, this will be a harsh holiday for many.  Indeed, each year sees those families for whom holiday celebrations will be starkly limited.  Bitter weather makes difficult living for those who do not have stable incomes or homes.  This season has become one of traditional giving; the able lending a hand up to the unable.  In the news, charitable institutions scramble to obtain sufficient resources to help the needy.

For myself, today I will wrap gifts for my family.  I hoard tidbits from sales throughout the year.  This is not the season for extra purchases.  Fuel bills, taxes, and other year-end expenses contraindicate further stresses to the budget.  I dislike travel in the probable inclement weather, but will visit my daughter and my aunt over the weekend; then travel with my daughter on Monday to visit my oldest son.  The family will send gifts for the youngest with my daughter as she flies to visit him.

This is the season of familial togetherness–and Powers-That-Be, help us all–too frequently the season of familial bickering.  Yet we try to stay in touch, using telephone, internet, automobile and airplane to maintain connections.  I ask myself, what would I do if I had no one?

Probably much as I will do this day and tomorrow.  If I had no grandchildren of my own, there are always children who could use a gift or two.  There will be a quiet celebration for my renter/room mate/freind, my pets and I –nibbles, a few packages to open, perhaps a netflix movie.  If my resolve does not falter, I will get out the bird feeders and fill them in preparation for the coming cold.  My charities are small and quiet.  I will attend my bills, paying as I may, for I am a part of the machinery of society, whether I wish it or not.  When I pay my bills, someone else recieves a pay-check.