Comments on: The Christmas Story

By: Daddo

Daddo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:33:03 +0000

From Epinion.com:

“‘Dear George: Remember- No Man is a Failure who has Friends’, writes Clarence in his copy of the novel Tom Sawyer- a book he leaves behind for George Bailey at the end of the film. Regardless of money or other material wealth, friendship and goodwill are what really matter. Clarence’s words of wisdom ring true for his old earthling buddy.”

By: Gale

Gale — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:57:23 +0000

Elizabeth, thank you for this. I look forward to listening to both pieces on NPR. In the meantime, I will contemplate the essence of your post – that somehow in the midst of so “much” we actually end up with so “little.” Like Jan, I recognize the virtues of simplicity, but haven’t had the courage to embrace that kind of life. Thank you.

By: ABF

ABF — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:12:21 +0000

If we, in America, could embrace Christmas the way most of the Christian world does by offering love more than presents, I think we would appreciate the true meaning of Christmas a little more. Unfortunately the “commercialism” of Christmas is quite charming and we tend to have a hard time breaking away from tradition.

So, until Santa Clause stops hanging out in malls across the country; Exuberant amounts of extravagant, thoughtful, and thoughtless gifts will be given out nationwide on December 25th.

(I say thoughtless because how much thought goes into a gift card? Not to say I don’t appreciate the gift. It’s the thought that counts, right?)

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:39:14 +0000

It’s so true, Jan. It’s not an easy decision to make. But we keep trying…

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:48:41 +0000

Every year, Elizabeth…every cotton-pickin’ year…I tell myself, “This time I’ll keep it simple.” And, of course, I don’t. I read a book once that suggested the reason for “it is better to give than to receive” is because when we give away, we have less left. The point of the message is to get rid of stuff until you don’t have so much; it’s nothing more complicated. I do firmly believe we can “live more, with less”; I just don’t have the nerve to do it.