We are past mid winter. The Menorah is put away. Trees of the ancient mid winter rite exhorting the return of spring are still in great rooms everywhere across the land. Though the memory of why an evergreen is brought into the house is muddled in other dogma. The feeding frenzy at the Mall is soon to gain a new level as the season of want drives shoppers in an excuse for activity, driven by the cold, shortness of days, and a desire for "things" mixed with the satisfied feeling one gets when giving to another, stirred by a pervasive saturation of advertising propaganda...... Ah yes the holidays - although I find it crass to suggest that there is little of anything holy left in the mid winter madness in today's insanely consumer driven 'modern' world ......
To remember what compassion is, to recall the struggles that allow us the comfort and survival against the cold. To remember the miracle of rebirth and renewal that mid winter promises.
To rejoice in the knowledge we have again made it through half the struggle of the season of winter......
To understand the ancient rhythm of the seasons and celebrate the promise of a new spring
So much seems forgotten .....
