Comes the time for Christmas
And I really have to ask
If this is feeling merry,
How much longer must it last?

I think I find myself singing this song to myself at about this same time every year. The kids (and apparently, most everyone else) are greedy, there’s a billion hours of extra work to do, not one of them paid, it’s freezing, George Bush is *still* in office and the Democrats are clueless and scattered. Jesus has been monetized, marketed and ‘reframed’ by the neocon fundamentalists into the poster boy for their ‘me-first’ agenda. I don’t ascribe the man any divinity and I’m still sickened by what is done is his name. There is no hope, no charity, no spirit of Christmas in this fearful new America.

I wish a one-horse open sleigh
Would come and carry me away
But I’ve been waiting here all day
And one just hasn’t come my way

Keith and I went to the Michigan and saw Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen over the weekend. It was great and it cheered me up a bit. I often spend the season feeling very much like little Natalie Wood, sitting in the car, muttering to herself ‘I believe, I believe, I believe…’ with no real conviction, having given up on the dream that was sold to her by the nice old man with the whiskers.

Natalie’s muttering got her a happy ending. I’ll keep muttering and singing to myself and maybe I’ll get one too.

My god in heaven now I feel like I’m seven
And the spirit calls to me as well
As if Christmas had made the winter warmer,
Made a paradise from what was hell
As if a cold and frozen soul
Is warmed to love
By love’s own hand
So goes the prayer,
if for a day, peace on earth
And good will to man…….