"Rediscovering the warmth, simplicity, amity and solidarity which are the very values of Christmas"

The Christmas cards are in production. Description on the back is about Tuck's "America" model pictured on the front, but what to say inside? Some say "Merry Christmas" is de rigueur. Others, like ourselves, might prefer a more understated reference to the birth of Christ as in our last year's message from Isaiah 40:1, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." Prototype of this year's card can be seen just  behind Baby's right ear above.

"Even a nonbeliever can perceive something special, transcendent and intimate that speaks to the heart," Pope Benedict XVI told visitors and clergy during his weekly audience last week, calling to mind an ur-quotation of our blog, the late Oriana Fallaci's timeless "If an atheist and a pope think the same things, there must be something true." Papa Ratzi's latest words:

Perhaps the world crisis that is affecting so many families and all of humanity could be the stimulus for rediscovering the warmth, simplicity, amity and solidarity which are the very values of Christmas.

Stripped of its materialistic and consumer trappings, Christmas offers a chance to welcome as a personal gift the message of hope that emanates from the mystery of Christ's birth.

Our own little household started trimming expenses midsummer when we noticed the grocery bills soaring, thinking about prices in terms of the downstream effects of both corn used for fuel vs feeding livestock and soaring gasoline prices. Then came the financial apocalypse. We're still reeling and don't understand why this particular business cycle seems so much worse than most others. Wouldn't it be lovely if we could depend upon economic journalists to enlighten us? Where is Maggie Thatcher when we need her?

Meanwhile, according to the Washington Times, not only Oriana Fallaci, but Wal-Mart agrees with the Pope, "judging by its new motto, 'Save money. Live better.' And at least one therapist vouches for thrift as the new global virtue":

"Forced frugality will give folks the chance to really examine their priorities and reconsider the role and meaning of gifts and holiday expenses. With less comes more appreciation and gratitude for what you have and what you´re given," said Kit Yarrow, a psychologist with Golden Gate University.

Is that the excuse we'll be giving this year for our first-time-ever failure to buy any Christmas presents whatever? We do have a family Xmas lottery and will be giving a monetary gift (his preference) to the person we drew, but we used to be the Queen of Xmas Gifts. Now it is all about feeding. We have cooked up a groaning board of comestibles for family and friends. Is that the new "true meaning of Christmas"? Raymond MacDonald Alden's Why the chimes rang comes to mind.

Update: The true meaning of cuteness is explored in depth at Carnival of the Cats #249: Christmas Edition, brought to you by the handsome tabby Nikita of Musings of a Mad Macedonian.

Comments

[mog]

And I thought I was bad, have only bought for my grandchild. Food, now there's a thought, parties with lots of food have been my fare. Sounds scrumptious. I'm with the Pope, Christmas has been too commercialized. Might be some good come of this recession after all.

[retriever]

I admire your fortitude in resisting the siren calls to spend, spend, spend. I joked to my kids to lash me to the mast, and plug my ears, but we settled for just continuing to let dust settle on the TV. And never going to the mall.

Lucky you being in the Boston area. My old stomping grounds.

We are a very frugal family all year (were doing thrift shops, growing our own, reusing stuff, etc. long before it was trendy -- skinflint Yankees) -- but I tend to spoil the kids and husband rotten at Christmas, and it's hard to break the habit.

I do enjoy your writing, and the cat portraits are a joy. Such gorgeous cats, and you capture their moods and explorations so well! In my family I am teased as the sniper, because I go out for hikes stalking birds, dogs, interesting characters, and mostly landscapes, flowers, trees, trees, trees with the longest zoom I can afford.

More important, your words on the season. Reminded of that remark attributed to Gamaliel, Saul's rabbi, that "If it is of God it will endure." I hope and pray that during these hard times, people of faith can remember that being lovers of God brings us together across oceans and all divides.

[goompa]

A stable successful society must share moral values. Christmas is a time to reflect on the values which have made the United States the most prosperous nation for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. A success which we maybe losing as these values are attacked by an ignorant intellectual culture.

[Gayle Miller]

Amen to Goomp's sentiments entirely. The Babe is looking splendiferous as always. From the size of those paws - he must have a LOT of Maine Coon cat in him! He's definitely prepared for "snowshoecatting"!

God bless Sissy, Tuck, Baby, Tiny, Goomp and his beautiful little darling girl and all who are lucky enough to know or better yet be owned and loved by a feline creature. THAT is always my gift - the love of Sam the Wonder Cat - hard won and deeply valued.

[Elizabeth]

It's interesting to ask what the relationship is between thrift and mental health.

For instance, who was more mentally healthy: Ebenezer Scrooge, or Bob Cratchit? Which one was miserly - that is, greedy?

I think the public would benefit from considering that virtue-based thinking is far more healthy than value-free thinking.

[Carol Ward]

I find no small irony that those preaching newspaper writers and tv talking heads who decry the "materialism" that accompanies Christmas are the same ones who led the charge into secularizing society with a "Happy Holidays", no specific description.

Some may argue that Christmas was a holiday that co-opted a pagan winter solstice celebration to gain wider acceptance. Maybe so, whatever. But the symbolic meaning of Christmas comes from the idea of a God who so loved the world that he gave his only son to it - an unrequited gift if there ever was one. Gift giving is the physical demonstration of that idea of love. Is it really a surprise that once the Christ came out of Christmas, the deeper, more important symbolic meanings of love and giving also disappeared?

(This from a once a year churchgoer, too .... not exactly the proselitizing type.)

Whether one believes in a Judeo-Christian God or not, if you are going to celebrate the holiday I think it is important to acknowledge and honor the underliyng meaning of Christmas. And then the mindless gifts - contrasted with the mindful gifts - pale in comparison. The mindful gifts, like hospitality and food prepared with love, are the ones that are special.

Merry Christmas. Let your heart be light.