The sign in the bank, over a 55 gallon tub, began: “No child should go through Christmas without receiving a present….please donate a toy for a child today.”

That got me to thinking….

Not every child recognizes “Christmas” in any meaningful way. Maybe the sign should have said, “No Christian child….” Or even “No American child…”

And after all, what is the meaning of “Christmas”? I have always railed against people who “get the holiday spirit” for a month or two late in the year, and then revert to their old ways in January. But what is the holiday spirit? Isn’t it a sense of belonging, of family, and of generosity? I would ask, what is the spirit of Christmas to you? And do you live that spirit every single day of the year?

Why not?

And if the spirit of Christmas is a good thing, where’s the urgency to spread it as far and as wide as you can? What have you done today to bring goodwill to someone you have met? How did you express your generosity today? And whom in the family of mankind do you feel estranged from this very moment? What can you do to reach out to them, to include them in your Christmas spirit?

May your days be merry and bright.