All those years gone. All the tender memories that could have been. I wish I’d spoken out stronger over the years. I wish I’d taken a stand. I will now.

My objective is to develop a fresh practice of personally valuable Christmas ideals. I’ll gather remnants of my naïve attempts to celebrate this season, consider themes of good will and compassion, then compile a mass. From that mass, like a sculptor carves a stone, I’ll carve away the drivel and dross; marginalize the negative voices and scowls of that religion.

I won’t finish in a day; it’ll be a dynamic process as time rolls on, but this is where I land this year.

Christmas Manifesto

First, do no harm. I will do no more harm with yesteryear. My decades-old memories are vivid and hurtful, but it’s time to put them to rest. I choose to not repeat a narrative of religious restriction after this. Such recall virtually picks the scar to a fresh injury. I choose to build peace and joy from now forward.

Second, Thanksgiving is a well-established celebration of gratitude, so it’s also an appropriate time to set up and decorate a Christmas tree as my symbol of heritage. The tree’s ornaments will reach back in time to honor Czech fine glass and European woodcarving craftsmanship.

I consider ornaments passed down the family line or received as gifts from caring friends as precious as those relationships. Handmade craft expressions of children’s and grandchildren’s sentimental love will be preserved until they can no longer hold together, whether those children are young or adult.

I intend to set out a humbly constructed nativity scene with porcelain or clay figurines in a prominent location. I made the barn from twigs from this land; wove the roof from these herbs. I will not tolerate scrutiny of the symbols or feel guilt for perpetuating this wonderful story. I may keep it set up through April if the old argument of Jesus’ birth date is challenged.

I believe I do harm when I participate in the commercial entanglements of society’s Christmas season. I will express love and care with my own heart and hands. I feel less frustrated by any cultural effect and released from competition when my thoughts focus on a specific receiver. Again, this new Christmas is about legacy and love – to whatever extent I can contribute to this clan’s positive relationships.

I will walk forward free from any historical condemnation of Christmas. I will tune my satellite radio to Christmas music and sing along, with no guilt. I will learn even more about global expressions of this hope-filled holiday and enjoy their distinct expressions of various cultural stories. A baby who came from God to live with humans and rescue us from our suffering is a lovely reason for hope and wonder.

Christmas an appropriate season to practice compassion and goodwill.

I believe Christmas is good!