Evelyn Dove Coleman: Whose Birthday Is It?

My Christmas shopping list was longer when my parents were living because they loved opening presents. I tried once to get my small immediate family to exchange names at Thanksgiving and everyone just give one gift for Christmas. That was not a popular idea. My mother’s exact slow, drawn-out response was:  “Welllllll.....I realllllly ....don’t want to just open only one gift.”  That was years ago, and I still remember how hard she made us laugh. 

Each year, I do encourage everyone to focus on the reason we are celebrating. A funny thing happened one year. I do my Christmas cards via email or text. So when a friend sent out a group email message to spur debate, he got my automatic-reply picture of a beautiful brick home with two decorated trees in the yard and a serene manger scene out front. He emailed me that he was soothed by the picture and no longer felt like debating the political issue he had raised with his chat group. I had to chuckle.

 Another friend sent me a joke as his holiday greeting because he knows I love to laugh. Laughter is good medicine for just about anything that ails us. So this year, I raise my crystal stemware filled with chilled cranberry juice and issue this toast for all of us to have a safe holiday season filled with cheer. Focus on the reason we celebrate the holy birthday. Laugh together. Help out someone who is less fortunate. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Have a Blessed New Year!