Let’s consider the reason for the season

By Chris Ostermann

(In response to “Shop where they wish you Merry Christmas”)

“The reason for the season.”

Can we reflect on that just for a minute? There are, whether you like it or not, many reasons for the season. No matter which of the reasons you might choose, all or none, the basic and glaring fact is this very one. All of the reasons for the joy of the season share a similar point and theme: be good to your fellow man, whether they are good to you or not, for the winter is long and the New Year is that which can only come with the promise of Spring.

My point in responding is to remind you that the reason for the season, no matter which reason you choose, is to come together, to enjoy your fellow human beings’ companionship, to appreciate friends, family and unfamiliars equally.

Maybe you do this by buying gifts, or donating to a charity, or wishing Happy Christmas or Merry Hanukkah un-judgingly and with a heart truly full of joy and good will. The fact of the matter is have a HAPPY . Let those you wish well fill the blanks in for themselves. The message is there, peace and joy, goodwill to all.

The way you most certainly do not do this is by lashing out at some poor girl in a shop because she so heartlessly and thoughtlessly expressed her wish for you to have a happy wrong kind of holiday. You definitely do not wish goodwill to someone by telling them what they should say to you. You definitely do not spread peace on earth and joy to all by loudly and ignorantly blasting the community with your decision to only shop at local businesses that dictate how their employees should well wish their patrons.

It seems to me that those who complain about how someone wishes them a joy- filled holiday are unfortunately afflicted with what the medical industry describes as “a heart two sizes too small.”

Happy Holidays!

Chris Ostermann is a Ramona resident.