Neither rain nor freezing temps are very common in southern California, but this month we've had both. The low this morning was 0 degrees centigrade, making me glad that we brought our potted plants inside yesterday. I'm not sure the hibiscus (which is planted in the ground) will survive. We'll see.

Plans are afoot for Christmas dinner. We're inviting all the people in our congregation who don't have family and friends to celebrate the season to come to our house for Christmas dinner. We'll even put on Christmas music, though there's been some disagreement over which kind.

B is 10 years younger than I. I was raised on the old Christmas hymns (Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, Adeste Fedelis, and so forth); she, on the other hand, has formed her earliest Christmas memories around songs like I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and the like. The 10 year difference is striking.

I've never cared for either the commercializing nor the cartooning of Christmas. Not that I promote the religious aspect so much as I'd like to emphasize the message of the rebirth of hope and light (the solstice), forgiveness and love (every child comes with the message that god is not yet discouraged of man--Kahlil Gibran, I think).

I am irritated by the incessant messages hyping the purchase of gifts and the cartoonish Santa ho-ho-ho. The quiet voice of the true meaning of the season is lost in the relentless commercials and platitudes.

Peace on Earth, good will towards all sentient beings.