Dear Jesus….

Dear Jesus,

All I want for Christmas is you.

Because the world is one hot-mess right now. I know it’s been that way like forever, but these days we are all acting like two-year-olds who need a nap or bullies on the playground who need to be told to take a seat.

I love bobbles and presents, but I’d trade all my gifts for some true peace on earth and goodwill to all humans. People get their knickers in a twist because someone decided we can’t say Merry Christmas anymore. I think we all missed the mark on that suggestion. No one has forbidden anyone to stop saying Merry Christmas. But some have taken it to new lengths.

I say Merry Christmas all the time, but I don’t get upset if someone suggests I can also say Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings. It cost me nothing to change the narrative now and then. Holiday comes from Holy Days and Season’s Greetings can apply to any season and You gave us four lovely, always-changing, always amazing seasons. I know diversity is considered a bad thing by some, but I like variety in life and especially in human-beings. Sometimes, if I don’t know how a person feels about spiritual things, I don’t have a problem saying Season’s Greetings. Gentle encouragement is not a pain to offer. If I don’t agree with or approve of someone’s lifestyle, I can still be civil and offer kind words. Kind words soften the meanest people. Well, most of them. These days the mean spirit is coming out in horrible ways.

People are making really unkind nasty statements after other people have died-usually from being murdered unfortunately. I’m horrified to think one human would say such awful things about another one. No matter our station on life, we know that You, Lord, told us to love one another as you have loved us. We tend to forget that these days. When I hear sweet little old ladies saying vile things about a person they don’t even know, that makes me sad and I don’t like being sad. I don’t like mean people but the Grinches and Scrooges are popping up everywhere. We need to find the angels and disciples.

Sweet Jesus, how many times have You come to my rescue and pulled me out of the darkest nights? More than I can say. More than I deserve. But I know we all have Your love and guidance and I sure use my share of your gift, usually at three in the morning when my mind goes over my entire life and wants to rewrite and edit some parts. But those parts are what made me, Lord.  Having been treated with judgement by bullies and meanies at times, I just want peace on earth and goodwill to all and I always, always, want to remember what you told us to remember. Love one another, as I have loved you. Sometimes I forget that and I turn into a mean person myself. And yet, I still believe in kindness, love, happiness, and hope, the things You’ve taught me to believe in. I can’t bear to see anyone suffering without hope, but it’s happening more and more these days, Lord.

So all I want for Christmas is You. You will be in my heart and in my thoughts while I pray for humanity to stop being so self-centered and focus on the good in this world by showing compassion and kindness rather than anger and disregard. Hope and love is still there and I see it every day in every face. Because I smile at anyone I see. That costs me nothing and gives me a good feeling. Kindness is contagious. I pray that whoever reads this hears my plea and will pass on love and hope rather than hate and anger.

I love you, Jesus. Watch over us, Lord. All of us.