Christmas in My Soul

                                  Day 17 of 20 Days of Christmas                           

It's not unusual at this time of year to see "Jesus is the reason for the season" or "put Christ back in Christmas" slogans around. I can't help-- even as someone who considers Jesus to be God-- but cringe. It feels like many who utter such things are in fact taking the opportunity to finger point at folks who don't subscribe to a particular religion or attend a church all year round, to tell them they've got it all wrong.

When I think of the story of the birth of Jesus, the perpetual outsider, I think of him being born in a feeding trough because no one had the decency to take in a supremely pregnant woman! Here was a young out-of-towner who obviously hadn't given birth before; she was gonna need help, and there weren't women surrounding her to get her through the process. I am sure Mary was filled with fear and disbelief that no one was willing to reach out to her. Joseph was probably stricken with guilt and shame that he couldn't do better for his wife. Here were two people who could have really used some compassion and assistance. 

If Jesus is the reason for the season, and we want to put Christ back in Christmas, shouldn't it be less about signs and sayings, and more about action? Shouldn't it be less about judgment and more about extending kindness to others? Shouldn't it be about looking around us, around our world, to see the consequences of how we live our lives?

Below, two songs submitted for your consideration. The first is "Christmas in My Soul" by Laura Nyro. The second is "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" by John & Yoko, and it includes the original, heart-wrenching video.