As one has to honor the season, I re-watched the two Christmas episodes of the new All Creatures Great and Small. Such edifying tips on animal husbandry and reminders that Christmas is the time to get your heart smeared all over the pavement: Hugh getting dumped, Tristan fighting with Siegfried, Mrs. Hall’s son being vicious, giving lethal injections to beloved pets…
And all the mercy and redemption that people bring to each other: Mrs. Pumphrey’s Christmas party, Tristan saving both the donkey and the shy boy, Siegfried holding Mrs. Hall’s hand as she sings a carol and sobs, James making sure to call his parents who are standing in the phone booth.
It’s the time for doing what you can to make others less miserable – from taking charge of the vegetable buying to mercy-kissing people under the mistletoe (not to mention wearing silly costumes for the amusement of children and handing out treats).
Let us all strive to be the positive characters in our own dramatic lives, whether in the Dales or the sand dunes of the Middle East.
Peace and Joy to all, or as the Muppets sing:
Add all the grief that people may bear, total the strife, the troubles and care.
Put them in columns and leave them right there, the peace of Christmas Day.
Christmas Movies (with a timely reminder of the joys of Sir Gawain)
Holding Onto Your Christmas Joy in the Face of Legions of Trolls
Yes, Virginia – Proper Behavior at Christmas Time
Christmas in the Middle East – STRÅLA and Sardine-flavored Candy Canes
Holiday Gift Guide for Darling People
The Peace Carol
The garment of life, be it tattered and torn,
the cloak of the soldier is weathered and worn.
But what child is this that was poverty-born, the peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.
The hope that has slumbered for 2000 years,
the promise that silenced 1000 fears.
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears, the peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.
Add all the grief that people may bear, total the strife, the troubles and care.
Put them in columns and leave them right there, the peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.
The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.
words and music by Bob Beers
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