I make a distinction between the holiday and the holy day. The holiday is a reflection of our society. Much of it is wrong, misguided, full of inappropriate messages to our young, and at times causes great sadness and misery. I despair for those that are so taken with the commercial aspects that they cannot see the holy day. But the coin has another side. It is also a season of folks tying to solve problems, a season of folks who work very hard to help others.
The Holy Day and season, for me, is a wholly different time. It is a time for contemplative reflection. A time when I look to the messages of the man I vainly try to emulate. A time when I find time to sit on my hill and listen to the voices of the old ones that I hear in my head, and try to find a way, as we head into the season of light, to move a little closer to being a better man, a better Father, a better friend, and a better person.
Sed, I don't know what tradition you follow at this time of the year. And to me, it doesn't matter. But I find a little more peace when I can shut out the noise, listen to those who have gotten away, and reflect on the life of the greatest who ever lived.