The reason for the season.

Was your Thanksgiving holiday happy? Did you consume enough spiritually, with family, to hold you over through the dark hours until the solstice? Until it turns from getting darker... to getting brighter? Does fresh fallen snow make you ... sad? (And you're not even out there shoveling the stuff??)

Do you see the lights and the celebrations as symbolic of the gift we'll be given -- if in our hearts we choose to accept it -- this coming Christmas?

In my faith, Advent and the kickoff of a new liturgical calendar began last weekend. Here we go again...

I suspect some people would say they are "bored" by Catholic Mass and teachings. They can't grapple with bigger, brighter ideas -- instead of being creative and really listening, it's like counting angels on the head of a pin. Maybe years ago, you might have included me in that group. I found other things to keep my mind entertained during Church, every (yep, every) Sunday.

But the funny thing is ... as I've "grown up" (and that's not a chronological or physical thing, imo) and gotten to see a bit of the world outside my comfortable circles, I love learning and life, even more so than before. I'm less critical of others because I'm more comfortable with me -- if you don't like today's culture, find what you do like. It's all still out there; nobody is limited by the offerings available to them, nope -- nobody. Find what it is you need, and then go out and get it. It's not a pricetag thing...

People who get morose when the skies darken, who get sad from ... snow, who don't really understand the true gift of what Christians are celebrating ... I feel sad for them. It's like they can bring themselves to the party, but can't give themselves over to it. I'm not surprised that would make you feel more empty than if you hadn't tried to participate at all.

No, this isn't a blog post trying to convert anyone. It's really written to cheer those who are still looking in their lives, still trying to do for others -- to impress, to "one up" -- yet who for all their advanced age and achievements don't understand the bottom line = their purpose for being here today. (I won't link to the particular blog I am thinking of...)

If you're looking and missing, if you're sad and not satisfied, if you've been left and all the birdies have flown the nest, consider God. He believes in you, even if you still don't see the immediate benefit in believing in him.

And if you're a happy atheist or agnostic, nope this one isn't written for you. If you're content with your own life and faith, not for you either. This one... this one is for those I mentioned back at the top: who don't understand that darkness is essential to celebrate light. That snow brings the beauties of spring. That you're never really walking alone ... nope, not even you. If a Christmas tree stand exites your heart, imagine what a taste of good old fashioned spirituality, shared in communion with others -- other living, creative, thinking and surviving people in your very own community -- can do to up your happiness levels, all through the year.

Busy at work; posting will continue to be light, but I do hope, dear readers, that however you're spending your free time, you're happy and doing it for ... you!