Well, this isn't a gig, but it is a remembrance.

When I lived in New Mexico, one of my Jewish friends invited me one year to his and his partner's Passover celebration. Having grown up in the Christian tradition, I had heard of Passover all my life, but had no actual experience with it. It was one of the most touching experiences I've ever had, associated with a traditional holiday, and it forever deepened my experience of both faiths. I was struck then, and have been subsequently, with how "Jewish" the Christian faith is. So interwoven, and often in such denial about that fact. I think Christianity loses something for not nurturing its connections with its roots -- and one of the reasons I loved the church I attended in New Mexico was because the pastor was committed to doing that.

For the next three years I was in New Mexico, my friend intived me and my children to Passover. I felt so blessed and honored. I invited him to come with us as we walked around singing carols on Christmas Eve. He finally did it one year and just loved it. But it was much harder for him to come to "visit" my faith tradition than for me to visit his, which I can understand. Much more persecution and just plain hatefulness has taken place at the hands of "Christians" in recent centuries than Jews. I wasn't trying to convert him, just to honor him and share. Once he really understood that, he felt the honor.

And Lloyd, I think it's proper that you didn't tell them about the Christ Child. They have their faith and you were there to care for them. It would have been insulting to them and the people who brought you if you had seized that opportunity to "witness." If more Christians spent more time merely loving and serving those they come in contact with, as you did, much greater work would be accomplished for the cause of Peace on Earth -- which is what it's all supposed to be about, right? You did a good thing, m'dear.