I am not religious in any way. But I am also not without faith. I have a very deep faith, just not in a divinity. Rather, my faith lies in the staggering wonders of the universe, and I don’t feel any need for explanations of those that currently defy explanation. My faith lies in the farther reaches and the better nature of my fellow humans. My faith lies in the sparkle of a child’s eye that reminds us all that anything is possible. And my faith lies in the everyday miracles of love, hope and kindness—little blessings that when bestowed on each other, can make all the difference.

Regrettably, in the hustle of daily life, we often forget these little miracles. Even though I do not believe in some of the core beliefs of my religious friends, I have a deep admiration for those among them whose faith reminds them to offer these small blessings to others as freely and often as possible. But, being human in a hectic world, even they sometimes forget or are unable to live up to this ideal. And so we set aside a few precious days each year as a time of giving. A few precious days to hope or pray (and possibly act) for peace. A few precious days to offer kindnesses to those who are less fortunate than are we. To me, this is the Christmas spirit.  And it is why I love this time of year. Continue reading →