When you just can’t think of the right thing to say or write inside a card, it never hurts to fall back on some tried and true wisdom from others. (Incidentally, this goes well with Art 33.)

I’m sure this one will find its way on a lot of lists in today’s blog theme.

It came without ribbons!… it came without tags!… it came without packages, boxes, or bags!…Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more!

–How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss

I mean, really, if that doesn’t sum up the best parts of Christmas I don’t know what does.

My next favorite holiday quote is actually a song lyric, but still counts!

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He’ll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

–Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy, David Bowie et al.

It’s my favorite version of my least favorite song, all because of the counterpoint. But, really, with all the stress and strife and violence in the world right now, these lyrics really go deep into the core issue: men of good will, that’s what we need now more than ever. Men and women who want more than anything peace and good will to reign instead of terror and fear.

…if you can’t say it at Christmas, when can you?

–Natalie’s Christmas Card, Love, Actually

This one is just so sweet and earnest, it stands out among some truly incredible lines from one of my favorite movies. But it also makes me think a bit, what is actually being said here. Is Christmas a more honest time? Or is it that, with everyone all full of warm holiday thoughts and fuzzy on Christmas cheer, it makes spilling secrets from your heart easier? Is it that the twinkle of Christmas lights gives us hope that our feelings won’t be summarily crushed and that we can trust the person on the other end to at least receive it nicely, even if they can’t or don’t want to reciprocate?

Now, I’d normally stop there because I’m a fan of trios, but it’s the 4th day of Blogmas so four quotes there shall be!

Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.

–Edna Ferber

Obviously I’ve got a theme running, here. Christmas, to me, isn’t about religion.* It isn’t about the commercialization of sales and presents or one-upping the neighbors light display. And it’s not even about family gathering together (we just did that, after all, for Thanksgiving). It’s the spirit of Christmas, the kindness, the smiles, the peace and joy, the hope for better tomorrows, that means the most to me.

*Just a note: many Christmas traditions pre-date Christianity and were co-opted by the Church to make conversion more appealing to the reluctant converts. So when I say Christmas isn’t about religion, I’m not trying to negate the religious aspects of it that so many prize, I’m just taking a more historic view of the various winter celebrations across several cultures that have all mixed in to create our modern Christmas.