EDITOR:

Is it the present under the tree when shaking tells you nothing? Is the secret who is playing Santa this year? Whether grandma has ham or turkey? Rudolf’s true identity revealed?

Christmas seems pretty straightforward: trees, gifts, visits, toys, cards, sleighs, tinsel, St. Nick, little wide-eyed kids, carols, the Birth of the King.

What’s the Secret? “It’s not the glow you feel when snow appears, not the Christmas cards you’ve sent for years. Not the joyful sounds sleigh bells ring, nor the merry songs children sing. That little gift you gave on Christmas Day will not bring back the friend you’ve turned away, so may I suggest the Secret of Christmas….is not the things you do at Christmastime, but the Christmas things you do, all year through.” Kahn & Van Heusen for Bing Crosby, 1959.

Oh, I guess that that Secret makes sense. “Christmas things” all year round. Helping out at the animal shelter. Baking cookies for a lonely widow. Returning lost and found items. Sharing your meal. Taking folks to church. Supporting the Salvation Army and that Little League team. Writing a “real” letter. Extra thanking that store clerk. Mentoring that young boy or girl. Exhibiting good sportsmanship when you do not want to. Paying it forward at the drive-thru. Giving Mom or sweetheart flowers unexpectantly. Tipping extra. Buying a U.P. Fair animal. Hosting a special birthday party. Being a Designated Driver when the need arises. Giving extra attention to a disabled person. Loaning a coat, boots or umbrella. Letting others use your fishing or camping gear.

Cheering at a spelling bee or a child’s sporting event. Congratulating your son when he does a good deed and your daughter when she shares something valuable. No jumping to criticize when that may cross your mind. Writing a prisoner. Giving anonymously.

Send a kid to camp. Shovel your neighbors out. Sacrifice a gift to gift others. Be kind to the cop who pulls you over. Drive Auntie to the beauty shop though it is out of your way. Compliment her Acknowledge academic progress. Admit guilt to someone. At times, say “no.” Give up that concert or game ticket. Confess. Finally forgive someone.

Share the real gift of Christmas to others. Show folks who the gift is by what you say and do.

Let’s share ‘love’ this season, hugs, tickles, snuggles and kind words. Let’s sing carols, play in the snow and seek heavenly peace, everywhere.

All year long, yes. Let’s not forget to after the New Year arrives too. Let’s make a resolution to share Christmas.

The opposite of addiction is ending isolation with community. Let’s adopt that approach.

Mary CHRISTmas, all!

Mike Olson

Escanaba