My entry for the LJ carol-a-long (started among my friends by *-*-*masqthephlsphr”>)

So it’s a bit unusual for a Christmas Carol, but I really love this song. It captures the essence of the holiday season for me…

The Christians and the Pagans
by Dar Williams

Amber called her uncle, said, “We’re up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay.”
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.
He told his niece, “It’s Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style,”
She said, “Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it’s been a while.”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, “Is it true that you’re a witch?”
His mom jumped up and said, “The pies are burning,” and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, “It’s true, you’re cousin’s not a Christian,
But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere.”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from , I think magic’s in the learning,
‘Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, “Really, no, don’t bother.”
Amber’s uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadn’t spoken in a year,
He thought he’d call him up and say, “It’s Christmas and your daughter’s here.”
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve,
Saying, “Can I be a Pagan?” Dad said, “We’ll discuss it when they leave.”

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old,
And making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

The office is closed today, but I stopped in while looking for extra stockings (we don’t have one for my brother-in-law-to-be). Yesterday I cleaned out the living room. All non-essential stuff was packed up for the impending move.

My little brother Jordan and I have been arguing a lot lately. Well, technically, Jordan’s been arguing with everything that comes out of my mouth and I’ve been trying to avoid the conversations…

Me: Look, there’s snow outside.
Jordan: Nuh-uh. I have a friend who told me that it’s really pollen falling down from the mountains.
Me: Jordan, your friend is wrong and you can’t support that theory with any measure of observable science.
Jordan: *25 minutes of he how he’s right because he has a friend who’s way smarter than me*
Me: Um, fine, whatever. I’m going to go to my room and read my book now.
Jordan: *follows me to my room, still going on about how I don’t respect him and I never leave him alone.*
Me: Would you leave me alone if I shut and lock my bedroom door?
Jordan: *more petulant teenage boy attitude — ad nauseum*

His psychiatrist thinks that all our recent talk about moving has triggered some chemical imbalances with him. Children with handicaps like his don’t adjust well to change – they need pattern and stability – and he should settle down a bit after we’ve been moved for a month or two. Meanwhile, it’s going to be a long month or two.

I have more cleaning to do and/or supervise this weeeknd. My dad’s not been much help in that department, Jasmine hurt her back yesterday, and the boys are pretty much useless for cleaning and packing without constant help and whip-cracking. Mom has to work all this week except Saturday, so if we want to be prepared to start moving on the 29th, I guess it’s up to me to pull a lot of the weight. I know the kids all think they’re supposed to be allowed to sit around on their butts through the entire winter break from school, but they haven’t even been doing their basic required chores. I’m trying to make them understand that it’s a daily responsibility. Especially since we’re moving to a bigger house which will require more work out of everyone.

*sigh*

Tonight is the UU Christmas Eve service. It sounds like it’ll be a nice service, so I’m looking forward to that as a break from the family madness.

Wish me luck, I’m heading into the shopping centers to find stockings (and maybe a last gift or two).

Merry Christmas

Filed under: livejournal by Jere Keys