‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE SELFLESS

And occasionally, a ‘Christmas Classic’ runs on a Sunday in December!

No one ever lists ‘selfless’ as a distinguishing characteristic on their dating app profile.

But throughout history, the most memorable acts are those undertaken to help others, without consideration for personal benefit.

And in our personal histories, the friends most treasured are those who make us feel like we are their only priority:

Listening to our stories and/or problems without boomeranging the conversation,

Who we know are not being rhetorical when asking “How are you?”,

Who we call when we really need a favor.

And while today we celebrate Christmas, the punctuation mark on the ‘most magical time of the year’, its true meaning is easily – and annually – lost.

Which we annually lament, committing to act differently “next year”.

For Christians, Easter is the ultimate, as we celebrate victory over death and the promise of eternal life – but Christmas a close second, Jesus’ birth the critical catalyst.

And while gift giving distracts us, at the core of Christmas is a celebration of selflessness. 

So, while we debate another eggnog, our time would be better spent contemplating the lessons of today, as taught by Jesus’ family.

And reflecting on Jesus’ ultimate act of selflessness – Jesus had a choice to accept or decline what was asked of him.

Jesus had a choice.

Possessed of free will, and knowing what lie ahead of Him if He agreed to be born of man – ultimately to sacrifice His life – He said yes. 

Born into humble means, His father a carpenter -a Biblical blue-collar job – rejecting material possessions, when He could have negotiated an early version of the Titanium I-Phone 1AD.  

But we also learn lessons from Mary and Joseph: Teaching unquestioning faith, and quiet service.

Mary delivering the Savior in the most unorthodox way possible, as a virgin -imagine that honeymoon – informed she was expecting by the angel Gabriel – as opposed to an at-home pregnancy test.

But aware she’d been chosen for an existential task, possibly wondering Why me? While agreeing to her selection, proceeding without complaint – in quiet service to others, the modern us complaining about giving someone a ride to the airport, or a delayed Amazon delivery.

Joseph also wondering Why me, a humble carpenter? while processing some possibly troubling details about his marriage and wife’s pregnancy, but once Gabriel explaining the path ahead, proceeding with unquestioning faith and quiet service.  

Nat King Cole’s ‘Christmas Song’ aside, the soundtrack for today should be faith and selflessness.

Though practiced mindfully, Christmas gift giving is a form of selflessness: Truly considering the recipient, delivering the ‘just right for them gift’, not just Amazoning it.

And selflessness a prime starting point for our upcoming New Years Resolutions, after “Lose weight”…

Resolving to:

Root for friends’ successes, without worrying about how we’re impacted.

Giving sincere compliments, when people do something right or help you.

Practicing simple acts of kindness, paying it forward when possible.

To let our family and friends know how much we value them, how much they are loved.

Years ago our family Christmas assignment was writing a personal note to each family member describing what you like and/or admire about them. Length and detail up to the writer. There was no public reveal, recipients reading them in private.

It was a great experience, my notes saved in my top dresser drawer, randomly pulled out to re-read.

Providing a much-needed lift when reminded that we are special and loved.

They are a living, written surrogate for the reminder that “If you have a loved one whom you haven’t told you loved lately, say it now…

…Always say it now”. 

Merry Christmas!

For 269 more posts like this –each with a wish for more Christmas– go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.

ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:

The Flaming Lips are a favorite – even now when I hear ‘Yoshimi battle the pink robots’ I’m amused, confused, and tapping my toes. Arguably the greatest OK City rock band ever.

Today’s song speaks eloquently to making the person we are at Christmas time, our year round self. I’ve added this, ‘Do you realize’ and ‘Yoshimi battles the pink robots’ to the BATN playlist.

A Change at Christmas (Say it Isn’t So)  Flaming Lips

I know that everything changes
Yeah, it’s strange how time marches on
Well, maybe there’ll be some time in the future
Oh, tell me
(I’m not wrong)
Tell me I’m not wrong

Oh, if I could stop time
It would be a frozen moment just around Christmas
When all of mankind reveals its truest potential
And there is sympathy for the suffering
And there is sympathy for those who are suffering

And the world embraces peace and love and mercy
Instead of power and fear and as sure as I’m standing here
I swear it really does appear that a change comes over us
Yes, some kind of change comes over us

And it’s glimpsed, it’s glimpsed it for one shining moment
And this change, well, feels like a change that’s real
But then it passes along with the season
And then we, we just go back to the way we were
Yeah, we go back to the way we were

And say it isn’t so
(Say it isn’t so)
Tell me I’m not just a dreamer
(I’m not just a dreamer)
Tell me ’cause I’m talking with a friend
And he knows how it ends

He says it’s easier, he says that
That’s just the way we are
That it’s human nature
And that’s just the way we are

Say it isn’t so