Thursday, December 19, 1996
A Merry Christmas Fribble
or
My Neighbor Can't Seem To Get Those Reindeer To Keep Still!
By MF Runkle

Christmas time is finally here. Of course, it's easy to trot out the usual complaints for the season. Let's see, it's too commercial, the traffic is too heavy, season's too long, and everyone wants you to visit them. I'm going to be my usual contrarian self and talk about what I like about Christmas.

I like it when people decorate their neighborhoods with lights. Here the days are short, it's dark and dreary out, but all my neighbors have their houses decorated with colored lights. It makes it feel like the place is still alive, adding color to long, cold nights. Why can't we leave them up until April, when it finally gets warm around here? It would make winter almost tolerable. My favorite is the little lights, especially when people put them all over their bushes, and they look like stars in the sky on a clear night. I also like the Santas and the reindeer, because it reminds me of when I was little and looked forward to Santa coming. The manger scenes are okay, but Jesus looks a little old in all of them for a new-born, and Mary always looks pretty good for a woman who just gave birth. It's the engineer in me that gets annoyed at nit-picky little details like that. I do like seeing the reminder of the religious background of the holiday, though.

My neighbor has this really nice display of Santa and white reindeer. Every time I go outside, those reindeer are in a different spot. I'm not sure what's going on here. Today, when we got home, there was a new reindeer there. This is a little confusing. I checked where they were tonight, and I'm going to be a little nervous if they are in a different spot tomorrow morning.

I also like seeing the different reminders of Hanukkah. It reminds me of the struggles and triumphs of my ancestors, and the tenacity of a people who have hung together for about 4000 years. As a Christian, I like to be reminded of the original Jewish roots of my faith.

I like seeing Santa Clauses in the malls. Especially the old guys; they're always so good with children. It's nice to see children happy, and the look of excitement in their eyes as they talk to Santa. Little children have such wonder at the world, and while those days are lost to me forever, I enjoy seeing them again through others. A person is a child for such a short period of time; it's nice to enjoy it with them while it lasts.

I like getting cards from people I've met over time, and haven't seen for years. There are people I've encountered in different places that I will probably never see again, but I will always think of them. Sending them cards every year lets them know that I still care.

If I had to sum it up, I like Christmas because it is one time of year we try to behave like we should the rest of the year. It is a break in the gloom of the winter with the hope of a new beginning. It is a reminder of what we wish we could be. Finally, it is a time when we get to concentrate on our children, which is our most important investment. So, for all of you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!