Holiday Cheermeister

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

In most recent years, it was simply enough and quite acceptable to greet everyone with a simple Merry Christmas. Times have changed, however, and most of us now are asked to make a better personal efffort to embrace diversity and realize that a "Merry Christmas" greeting is no longer so simple a greeting this time of year.

Again, the many Christmas specials were broadcast on television throughout much of December. Unlike decades past when viewers often had but one, perhaps two opportunities at most, to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "It's A Wonderful Life", the existence now of cable TV, DVRs, TiVo, and other gadgets, makes it possible to view any Christmas special at any time. One of these Christmas specials, in fact was not about Chritsmas at all, but aired on network television once each December for many years. It's ultimate message though ("there's no place like home") serves as an excellent interpretation of at least one specific meaning of Christmas. It is theme of the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz".

Some in the media industry this year have hinted that a truer meaning of Christmas may have emerged as many families have been forced to severely reduce their holiday spending and gift giving. A deeply recessed global economy this year has in some respects for many people put a damper on what is perceived to be the collective Christmas spirit. However, I quite agree that Christmas does not come from a store, but perhaps means something more.

Be joyful this Christmas Day and holiday season. Be thankful, be spiritual and share at least one kind moment with a family member, a friend, a stranger, and an animal.