Scrooge or Scrupulous 12/09

For the first time in at least 10 years, we’re traveling home to Saskatchewan for Christmas. As there are eight kids in my family, we don’t even attempt to all get together. Given our numbers and the six different cities we call home, it would be more like planning a wedding. It’s just a little too complicated for an annual event.

Needless to say, I’m excited to go home. That’s the good news. But I have a little confession to make.

Thinking about the impact of Christmas on environmental, financial and physical health kind of brings me down every year. "Scrooge!" you say. That’s certainly how I sound when I start to grumble in November as the planning begins and the decorations go up.

"Scrupulous," I reply. Moderation, simplicity, health, fiscal and environmental responsibility are things I value. It’s very difficult to have a modern day Christmas with moderation in mind, as Christmas is easily excessive and wasteful. But this is my journey, to practice what I believe. This is my work to do, even when I’m surrounded by . . . well, you know.

With that said, when the day arrives (and I prefer to think of Christmas as just one day) I will be shouting from the rooftops, "Merry Christmas to All!" And until that day I will be working on what I feel is important. I’d like to share it with you. I know. You’ve heard it before. The same is true of "Jingle Bells." See here.

If you really overdo it, of course I’ll be here to help in January.