Christmas Future

Welcome to Tuesday! It's December 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve. The stores are a flurry of activity as last minute gifts are purchased. The final stretch for baking, wrapping, well wishing and holiday gatherings. This part of the holiday is much anticipated by children who hoped they have been good enough to be rewarded with the toy of their dreams. Oddly enough, also the most stressful for parents who wonder if they did enough or remembered everything on their ever growing list. This year, I'm sure it is by far the most stressful ever, given the economy and uncertainty in the air. Many people worry and wonder what the future holds in store for them and their families. All the shiny gifts and sparkling tinsel can't alleviate that. The children will play and laugh as usual. The adults will put their on happy face and try to find the smallest joy in the holiday proceedings over the next few days. Underneath it all, the world will still turn, the day will still become night. The human race despite ourselves will find that without the usual exuberance will still have much to celebrate. Maybe the hope of the season isn't lost in gift wrap, tinsel, past due bills, or dropping 401(k) values. Maybe it comes from the soul of mankind itself. Primordial. Ever present. In two days, the climax and everything returns to normal. Another Christmas under the belt. Hope and dreams for the new year will start to sprout. It is the way of the world. It is the way of mankind. Despite ourselves we survive and so does our hope for the future.