I’ve been listening to Christmas music lately on Pandora radio, something that might raise a few eyebrows amongst those who know me. Eyebrows might raise even higher if they saw the sometimes tears running down my cheeks. I’m not a big fan of holidays.

Thanksgiving and Christmas in my childhood and youth involved long trips across multiple states, even countries, to places where my grandparents lived and my friends didn’t. It was a grind and I have never shaken that feeling. Still and all, I recognize Christmas as a very special commemoration of a very special event.

Now I understand that many people don’t feel the same way about Christmas as I do, God bless them. I have managed to get my Christmas card list down to zero, and my three dollar string of lights and one dollar red bowed ribbon are the extent of my public celebration. Tree? Where in the world would I put a tree if I would be so uncharacteristic as to get one? The only place would be right in the way of the doggie door, and I can hear the protests of barking now.

Be that as it may, I do have a couple of little three inch trees that I set up on my mantle and a shelf along with little three inch representations of the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, shepards, wise men, baby Jesus and all. I really do believe that this is the reason for the season.

At the same time I respect those who see it differently, those who view it as a challenge to get all cards sent, all presents wrapped and presented, all customs observed, and most especially those businesses who view Christmas as the make or break time of year. You really can get a lot of very good deals on things you might need if you wait until this time of year to get them.

Respect also for those who observe other religious traditions and do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah of God, or those who regard any religious tradition as ignorance and superstition. If I have learned anything in this long haul thru life, it is that God gives us all, each and every one, the free will to decide just how we pick our way thru this so called life that increasingly seems to involve a lot of quicksand.

So with all due respect, still and all I have to observe, what are the chances that the baby Jesus would be born on Christmas day? Yeah, okay, 1 out of 365, which is a lot better odds than winning the lottery, but you gotta admit that’s quite a coincidence.