On these pages I have stressed this point many times: “I believe the majority of the people in the world are good.” Regardless of the bad news we receive on any given day from any given place, I continue to maintain that statement as an important mantra.
Not only to I believe the majority of the people in the world are good, I also see Santa as the Spirit of Goodness because it is that spirit that touches all.
It is the season of Christmas across Christendom – and yes, Christmas is a religious holiday – and yes – I am Christian – and yes, I embrace Christmas a secular holiday for all.
Whereas some Christians (and I believe the minority) complain about the commercialism while proclaiming, Put Christ back in Christmas, I say there is plenty of room for everyone in a secular Christmas because Santa – the Spirit of Goodness – is for everyone. Santa is for Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, Naturalists, Christians, and anyone and everyone else.
During our recent trip to the Czech Republic, were told (multiple times) that the vast majority of Czechs today do not identify themselves as religious – let alone associated with a religious community. Yet – they embrace Christmas. I’m confident the Czech example if not unique – but rather very common because they embrace the Spirit of Goodness that the season brings.
Mannheim Steamroller’s version of Silent Night is one of my favorites. Below are different videos to the same song. I hope you pick one (and let me know).
May the Spirit of Goodness be with you not only during this holiday season, but throughout life.
The original
Beautiful painting of the season and live wildlife
Featuring the Aurora Borealis
More religious
So Beautiful and the most beautiful time of the year…. Thank you dear Frank, Merry Christmas, Love, nia
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Nia,
Thank you for the greeting from Turkey and for your genuine kindness. Merry Christmas!
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A wonderful way to think of Santa and of Christmas, Frank. A very merry Christmas to you!
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Lynn!!!!
What a pleasant surprise from my favorite Pennsylvanian composer. Flashes of your Father Time composition just moved forward from my memory bank. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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Such a lovely post, Frank! Thank you–and Merry Christmas to you and Ms. Angle.
I only have time to listen to the first clip, but it’s beautiful. Still–the song itself is so beautiful, I think I like it best unadorned. I heard a woman singing it in Irish on a Rick Steves show yesterday (on the radio). 🙂
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Merril,
Thank you not only for the Christmas greeting from the New Jersey side of the Philly area, but also for your kindness. The thought of how you embrace the duality of two traditions makes me smile! Glad you enjoyed this version of Silent Night. I simply love it. The song (and version) is the same in all the videos, but the images differ. Personally, the Aurora skies version is my favorite. Christmas cheer to you and your family!
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Thank you, Frank. I suppose all the holidays, Christian, Pagan, Jewish, Hindu. . .and on rejoice in light returning.
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A toast to that thought …. well (for me) later today.
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🙂
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I agree that there is plenty of room for everyone in a secular Christmas. I’m OK too with Santa being the Spirit of Goodness. Thanks for giving me those two thoughts to take into the week of Christmas and New Year’s, and best Holiday wishes to you and yours.
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Tim,
Cheers to you for embracing the Spirit of Goodness! Enjoy the joys of the holiday with your family.
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I don’t know if I agree with you, but I would like to believe it. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Stefy 🍸🍸🍸🍸
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Stefy,
And that’s OK … 🙂 … Merry Christmas to you and your family! Enjoy the season in your beautiful, wonderful city.
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I couldn’t agree more, Frank. Belief in Santa is a belief in all that is good in this world. That doesn’t compromise my beliefs as a Christian, it only enhances it.
All of these songs are beautiful but there is something magical when I listen to it as scenes of the Aurora Borealis are displayed. Beautiful Christmas gift. Thank you.
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George,
Oh yes – the Aurora version is my favorite, too! Regarding Santa enhancing Christian beliefs, ABSOLUTELY! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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A great way to look at the spirit of Christmas for everyone Frank. I love the aurora version too. Merry Christmas to you!
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Andrea,
Cheers to serendipitous moments as I just finished reading your post! 🙂 Thank you … and Merry Christmas to you!
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Serendipitous indeed 🙂
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Frank,
May you find that spirit. Wishing you peace, love and all the joy the season can give.
Merry Christmas
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Marc,
Many thanks for your greeting. I was out of town, but now back in the saddle trying to catch up.
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Welcome back!
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A very Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Right Angle, Frank!
Always enjoyed Manheim Steamroller’s musical take on Silent NIght and all the videos are lovely.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dale,
Thank you for the warm greeting … and hope you had a wonderful Christmas day. This version my Manheim is definitely special, so glad to know we are on the same page on this one! 🙂
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It was, thank you. As I hope yours was as well!
🙂
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We were in Cleveland (just returned) so I limit my time here. Cheers!
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Of course!
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Off the top of my head, does the oldest son cook breakfast on Christmas Day? New Year’s Day?
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Yessiree… mentioned it in my Christmas post 😉
He is so proud to do so and I am so proud of him for taking up the mantle!
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Hooray for the tradition continuing … Trying to catch up here before coming over.
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No worries, dear Frank.
And yes! Hooray!
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The story of the nativity is a timeless story of peace and love. It contrasts starkly with the realities of modern life, commercialism, selfishness, bigotry and xenophobia. I also at this time of year think of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Such messages are desperately needed, now more than ever, as humanity copes with challenges like nuclear proliferation and environmental catastrophe. Here’s hoping that the leaders of the world will retain some of this wisdom as we enter the new year.
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Jim,
Bestivus holiday wishes to you. Oh yes – A Christmas Carol is definitely delivers a timeless message. A toast to you wishes regarding leaders, then again, I’m confident that skillset is absent in some leaders. Hope all is well with you and your family for this holiday and others to come.
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Merry, merry to you and yours on this, the 200th anniversary of the famous music being composed by a local teacher, Franz Gruber to the six-verse Christmas poem written by Father Joseph Mohr near Salzburg, Austria.
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Monika,
Thanks for the best wishes and for the anniversary tidbit (which I didn’t know)! Many thanks! Merry Christmas to you and The Knuckleheads!
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Thought you’d appreciate the musical tidbit. 🎶
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A very good way to look at the symbolism that Santa represents. I enjoyed the last one best since the birth of Christ is what Christmas means to me the most. Merry Christmas, Frank.
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John,
I like want George mentioned that Santa as the Spirit of Goodness strengthens his Christian faith. Merry Christmas to you and your family – including the canines.
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Thank you, Frank
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Have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous new year.
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Debra,
Thank you …. and holiday cheer to you and best wishes for a wonderful 2019.
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And may the Spirit of Goodness be with you and yours too, Frank! I also believe that most people are good. Interesting that the Czechs don’t identify with religion but still celebrate Christmas. Well, many of us don’t go to church but celebrate anyway.
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Jo,
Thank you … and the bestivus of holiday wishes to you and yours. On our tour I recall how the Czechs embrace Christmas and their tradition of eating carp (YUK) – yet the majority are non-affiliated. Just strengthens my thoughts about Santa. 🙂
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Merry Christmas! I agree that most people are good–and the spirit of Christmas is a message for all. Just imagine if the whole world did embrace that goodness and act on it everyday. The video I like best if the one with God’s Christmas Light Display. Lovely!
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Patti,
Glad you enjoyed this post. Focus on goodness is a worthy goal. Yet, disagreements can still occur with respect. Merry Christmas to you in California.
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I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day Frank.
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Karen,
Thank you … and I hope you also had a cheerful Christmas!
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Merry Christmas, Frank! 🍷clink
A wonderful post on Christmas, and although I have fallen away from my Catholic upbringing, I still adore the celebration, Santa Clause, the food, family, friends and the wine!
I like the Aurora Borealis video the best!
My fave Santa Clause/Marx Bros. bit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Sy6oiJbEk🍷clink
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Resa,
Merry Christmas to you … and hope you day was full of fun and love. Agree – the holidays with family, friends, food, and wine = awesome! I too love the Aurora Borealis version – Cheers to us. … and thanks for the Marx Brothers with Sanity Clause. … They are classic!
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I hope your holiday was magical, Frank! Happy new year!
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Kerry,
Thank you … We had a good couple of days with family in the Cleveland area (just returned) … Hope your day was bountiful with joys!
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Merry Christmas Frank to you and your family, and a Happy New Year.
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Catherine,
Thank you .. and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you. Did the kids make it for the holiday?
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Two of the three were home, the eldest we visited on boxing day. It was quite lovely.
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Excellent – one happy mom!
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I feel very much as you do, Frank. I am a Christian, as well, and Christmas is for me a time to be mindful of all that the birth of Jesus represents to me, I do that more or less privately and jump into the more secular joys of the season being that it makes sense to me to enjoy the cultural norms of Santa, shopping and decorating and baking. I hadn’t stopped to think about the Spirit of Goodness, but I think you’ve said it well. I share the deepest aspects of joy and contentment with family and friends during this season, and I think that’s as it should be. I think you’ve said it beautifully.
We traveled about 6 hours north to our son’s house on Christmas afternoon and our XM radio in the car had a Mannheim Steamroller station that kept us entertained. It kept us entertained…and awake! 🙂
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Debra,
Another checkmark for our commonalities. 🙂 Christmas is like a coin – but with each side of the coin in play at the same time. Yet, one my choose to only embrace one side. Cheers to the Spirit of Goodness. BTW – I, too, have XM and love Manheim Steamroller – but I didn’t listen to that channel this year. 😦
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