December 3, 2025

 Just over 3 weeks until Christmas. Maybe you are also a person who counts the days until the big day, or maybe you're someone who wishes we would stop counting the days. Either way, it is still 22 days away. Christmas always comes early for me. For a number of years, we did a donation project in December. We did it earlier than Christmas Day so that the recipients would have their gifts before Christmas. The non profit has been dissolved, this year actually, but I still have a few places that I donate to, or I should say that we, my wife and I, donate to. So, I grow a beard and put on a red suit and try to bring a bit of love and kindness to those who aren't experiencing it. By doing that, I give myself a gift.

The word I got this morning from my god box was another slogan. Listen to learn. I equated it to the act of meditation. Prayer is talking with the guy upstairs (GUS) and meditation is listening for an answer and by listening, we learn to sharpen our minds.

Last night, I was at a meeting and the topic was surrender. I pointed out that on Thursday, it will be 28 years since I surrendered my powerlessness over alcohol to the god of my understanding. I should say that the god of my understanding then is not the god of my understanding now. My understanding of that word has changed in the past three decades. As I listened to the discussion going around the table, I realized that sometimes I forget that I have surrendered and must renew that agreement.

It used to bother me when other members of my fellowship talked about God, but I understand now that it took some time for me to establish a relationship with God. It started simply. Through prayer and meditation it has improved. If we take some time to comprehend the true meaning of christmas, a celebration of the birth of Christ, then we begin to understand that it is not about getting, it is about giving. Sure, I have a beard and I put on a red suit - the children like it. But, it is the quieter, more secret gifts that matter more. Hope, kindness, love, compassion, understanding. Those are the gifts we should be giving.