christmas with tony

christmas eve 2004 I heard it was a day of peace in bethlehem but not in the cradle of civilization now in a state of death, destruction, and decay as a result of a crime against humanity committed by the christian nation that now celebrates the birth of jesus of nazareth, the christ child who would one day say “love thy neighbor” as thyself.

one would think since he was gods only son he meant more that the guy down the block and nothing less than all men who share this planet. he would have the courage of his convictions and be crucified on a cross for his actions which threatened the evil of empire. this is the birth of that same jesus christ that we celebrate. the whole world can not be blind to the contradictions between the words and the deeds nor is our own body politic.

and by now the pope once again called for peace on earth and good will toward men. isn’t anyone else perplexed that this message is ignored by the press but let the pope even think about abortion as sin – bingo instant headlines. doesn’t pro life’s anti-abortion stance extend beyond the taking of life after the fetus comes into this world? this garden of eden? seems like the right to life crowd has a position that from the moment of birth, you’re on your own. that doesn’t seem to be very christian yet throw a birthday party and everybody is purchasing as many presents as plastic permits. sometimes not worth the price of the hangover.

every manner of media reminds the masses – 3 more shopping days left while they ignore the message of the birthday boy. soon our own preachers will express those same sentiments at the same time they will ask their god to bless the troops that occupy a foreign country following the command of this “aw shucks” caesar of the 21st century. Those pious people packed in the pews won’t notice the hypocrisy coming from the flag draped alters. how could they be expected to see that when they can’t even see that christmas has become a celebration of conspicuous consumption where the message of peace on earth has been replaced by did you finish your shopping yet. they wouldn’t be there if they did.

i took a mutant yorkie named tony for a walk. most homes we pass having glowing lights outside. using electricity to celebrate the birth of the christ child while their tax dollars pay for a place where the lack of electricity has resulted in a condition called “wasting” that 400,000 children in iraq are experiencing while we party on. some homes have trees inside, life cut down dead to become part of the celebration of life.





ripples of clouds in slow procession behind a near full moon embraced at a distance by arms of yellow and gold and orange while i watch tony sniffing his way around the block. i remember long ago and far away when we celebrated the birth of jesus of nazareth whose message was peace on earth and goodwill toward men was contained in the words love thy neighbor as thyself. what happened in the last 40 years to that message of love for each other all created in god’s image?

when i was a child was told that at midnight on the eve of the birth of the baby jesus the animals would talk. since tony’s very existence to me seems to be that rare example of proof that god does indeed exist perhaps tonight he’ll fill me in but then again when i was a child I also waited for santa claus and we all know what happens there. time passes and an unexpected experience of love brings out the child in me and compels me to wait until midnight for tony to speak or maintain a noble silence for another year.

in the meantime i’ll reminisce about a time long ago and far way when my father would give a silver dollar to whoever saw the first star on christmas eve. after dinner we would break a holy wafer and share hopes and thoughts with one another then my mother would play polish christmas music on the piano. later my brother and i would wait as patiently as possible on the steps for while waiting for santa claus to bring us two toys each that would last until next year.

and after our toys were opened we would gather with our extended family on my mother’s side. The men played cards, smoked cigars, and talked politics. the women cooked and sang polish christmas carols while doing the dishes. and i would eat a loaf of my aunt sophie’s homemade raisin bread from a recipe that although she didn’t leave it behind she did give me a fond memory of a better day when I thought everyone believed in peace on earth and good will toward all men.

i hope the animals are talking tonight because it seems that people having been talking long enough and nothing has changed. in fact it seems we love our neighbor less and as such ourselves as well. time to listen for the words from those that give us unconditional love. do you hear what I hear? a child was born who will one day say love thy neighbor as thyself.