What Christmas Means to Me. Again.

I wrote this post a few years ago, after somebody questioned how an atheist like me, could celebrate Christmas. And I've run it every year since then on this day, because with some minor revisions to accommodate the passage of time, it still sums up how I feel about this day. 

It's Christmas Day, and once again I have to explain to my friends, that although I'm an atheist, and I believe that our beautiful planet is our heaven and our hell.

And although I hate the shopping and the greed.

And although I know it can be a sad and lonely time for many. 

I was raised in the Christian tradition, I believe in the earthly message of Jesus the revolutionary, I share the vision of those fighting for a kinder, gentler world.

And I do love this time of the year.

The lights, the snow, the warm feelings, the food. And all those sweet little stories that moved me when I was a child.

Like the one whose happy ending made me weep, when I was nine-years-old, and was spending Christmas in a hospital recovering from a bout of meningitis that almost killed me.

The story of Small One, the poor old donkey and his friend, who was ordered by his father to sell him. But the only one who wanted him was a tanner...for his hide.

And both were in despair, until the kindly stranger arrived...



Because even back then I loved animals and happy endings eh?

Just like I love Jake the old donkey at  Far Enough Farm...



Who was abused when he was young before he came to the farm, but slowly learned to trust people again.

Who now when he's feeling energetic, or thinks you have an apple in your hand, can make the same funny faces as that cartoon donkey did.

And who has helped me recover from the pain of losing this beloved companion last year...



My gentle little reindeer who I miss so much.

And also because somehow, even as a boy, I always wanted the humble to inherit the earth.

And now that I know that there are so many in this cruel Harperland...



I could never support any government that doesn't put them, or other poor Canadians, and our hungry children FIRST.

And I will fight the cruel Cons who don't care a damn about them, until the day I die.

Then there is the music, and the songs I used to sing when I was a budding juvenile delinquent dressed up as an angel.

In a choir like this one...



The words never did, and still don't mean anything to me eh?

But isn't the sound of gentle humanity GLORIOUS?

Imagine what kind of beautiful world we could build, if we were really our brother and sister's keeper, and there was really peace on earth.

Oh well. From me and my wonderful companion Sébastien, who makes me believe in his quiet way, that we can build that earthly paradise if we fight for it hard enough.

And that we can definitely build a better country than this hideous Harperland.

To all my readers and friends who support me so much, even when I don't deserve it.

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Happy Holidays everybody !!!

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