Now that College Station's red light cameras are kaput, there ought to be more merriness to go around the Brazos Valley this holiday season, flowing on and off our roadways and all around us. I think maybe there is.
The other day on Texas Avenue, I saw a car driving along with an artistic creation on its roof that looked like a big blue octopus lying upside-down. It was a huge menorah. Made me smile. I couldn't tell what it was made of -- maybe wood or PVC or something -- but it was aesthetically cool, and an eloquent holiday statement.
Jewish friends have told me that Hanukkah isn't really near the apex of their most important holy days; but, what the holly, if it means spreading the publicity around among the diversity of religions, that seems to be OK with most residents of Aggieland.
Some of us may not know much about another popular cultural holiday, Kwanzaa, so perhaps y'all could kindly share on the subject of what it means to your family in particular, if you celebrate it.
Often, though, we hear about how some folks get to feeling depressed during the holiday season. It's probably because of emotional disappointment over the superficiality. I can certainly understand that, since super means high, and "ficial" comes from the Latin for cholesterol and triglycerides, which are what go up. Then, the doctor and my wife tell me I can't have any more of those excellent logs of sausage and bricks of cheese in the gift boxes I used to get. Bummer. Ho ho.
Yet there is plenty of reason to be cheery in the season. The police are doing their customary Blue Santa, giving gifts to youngsters. The Marines always do us proud with Toys for Tots. Motorcycle clubs are collecting and distributing presents and food to families who could use them. Heck, I read in the paper yesterday that some crusaders are even trying to get in the spirit by helping feral cats get better lives. Meow and ho, ho, ho.
(Seriously, keep your eyes on this newspaper for opportunities to participate and help out.)
Actually, for Christians, it isn't technically Christmas yet; the liturgical season now is Advent, in which we prepare for the coming of our Lord. Christmas starts Dec. 25, and goes for 12 days -- i.e., the 12 days of Christmas, till Jan. 6, the fast of Epiphany, when we celebrate the arrival of the Magi.
So go to church -- midnight Mass is lovely on Christmas Eve, no matter what time you start it (ours starts at 8 p.m.). And remember, a vital part of the religious spiritual event is that it be quite honestly personal; as Barbara Robinson writes in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever it's unto "You, You -- unto You a Savior is born!"
* Father Bruce Chabot is rector/pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Navasota.
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