Guest’s poem shows when man is at his finest

Dear Readers: Merry Christmas. How glorious this world would be if we could live each and every day according to Edgar Guest’s sentiments in the following piece:

“At Christmas” by Edgar Guest

A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;

He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;

Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,

And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.

He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;

When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.

When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;

He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.

All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for a while

And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.

Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me

That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait

Till he’d fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.

I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of self,

On the long days and the dreary when he’s striving for himself.

I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed,

But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;

There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good,

But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside

And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.

Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me

That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.

Dear Annie: Every year we hear complaints about “politically correct” holiday greetings that are not specifically Christian. However, other traditions have seasonal festivals that are just as meaningful to them as the Nativity of Jesus is to Christians. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say “Happy Whatever-You-Celebrate,” as a friend once did, I have come up with an inclusive wish that seems to work well:

As the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Winter Solstice season passes and the New Year approaches, we wish you the strength to meet any challenge; the joy of knowing you are loved; the satisfaction of rendering service; and the peace of a quiet heart. Flat Rock, N.C.

Dear Flat Rock: Amen to that.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Distraught Mother,” whose pregnant daughter is married to an abuser and won’t leave him. “Distraught” refuses to accept her son-in-law and asks if she should go to the baby shower.

I was in that daughter’s shoes years ago, and my parents took me back more than once. I had to find my own way out of the abusive relationship when I was ready. I hope “Distraught” will tell her daughter to come with the baby anytime. If she knows her parents are there for her, it will give her the courage to leave. Can you imagine if she needed to get out, but had no family to turn to?

It is hard to leave someone you love while you keep hoping they will change. Survived with the Unconditional Love of My Parents

Dear Survived: We hope “Distraught” will take your advice, since it comes from one who as been there.

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