Not to be a grouch, but the way Christmas is celebrated (at least here in the good ol’ U. S. of A.) has always puzzled me. It’s become more of a commercial event than a commemoration of the birth of one of the most important religious figures of all time. (Even if you’re not a Christian, Jesus is still an important religious figure, and so are his teachings.)
So, instead of writing about doping or any other mundane issue like that tonight, I’d like to encourage everyone to think about one of the more fundamental (or so I’ve been told, anyway) of Jesus’ teachings.
Love thy neighbor as thyself. That’s the way I’ve heard it put. It’s similar to another religious figure’s saying of “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto others.” Good words to live by, either way you phrase it. Even if you don’t attend any particular religious service on a regular basis. Imagine a world where everyone treated each other with that kind of respect. Things would be a whole lot different, wouldn’t they?
Certain events and holidays make me pause and reflect on the important things in life. Today, for whatever reason, is one of them. In many ways, I have many things to be thankful for, including a wonderful, supportive wife, two great Siberian Huskies and a nice home. And readers who come back and keep discussions going, even when other obligations have kept me too busy to write as often as I would like.
So, my wish for all the readers of this blog is that you have a wonderful (and safe) holiday, and may 2008 be a good year for all. I’ll be back tomorrow, with a new “rant.” In the meantime, best wishes.
And the same to you and all the other “rantees”, regular and occasional.
Merry Christmas Mr & Mrs Rant – the “kids”, hope they get xtra big “chops” for dinner (:-)) – may peace and love reign in your hearts “rantees.” Me – I’m going to go and Jingle some bells.
Wishing you and all your readers a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
Rant, actually “love your neighbor” is Leviticus 19:18. That teaching is not original to Jesus, not that it matters. The great teachers know that originality of the message is not important, what really matters is presentation and timing … plus walking the walk after you’re finished talking the talk. Jesus was good at that.
Here’s wishing everyone a great holiday season and a joyous new year. Peace on earth, good will to all, and good luck in all of our efforts to walk the walk.
William, Morgan and PJ,
I hope you all had good holidays. Best wishes from the land of howling huskies.
Larry,
Good points. It’s easy to talk the talk. The real challenge is in walking the walk. Good luck to us all in our efforts to do that.