And many people worked long into the night, yesterday.

My son's employer is closed, but re-opens tomorrow at 6:00 AM. He worked yesterday from 5:30 AM until 2:00 Pm, so at least he was free to attend the big family event my brother and sister-in-law hold every year. Tomorrow he is back at it.

So, please remember that many of us of the 99 percent are not able to be with their friends and family today.

Meanwhile, those flush with more money than they need will likely spend today giving and receiving presents that they don't need or taking vacations to exotic locales the rest of us will never have the opportunity to enjoy.

For me, I already received my best present ever - my wife out of the hospital and back with those who love her. Far more important than any "thing" I might receive and probably forget about within a week or a month.

As some of you may recall, I have asked people not to give me stuff this year. I really have no need for more stuff, and though it's nice to receive a present on which someone spent time and thought and effort (and money, of course), I can think of so many better ways all that cash for this or that could be used to help others. Which is one reason what ever people do give me will go toward a donation to The Willow Domestic Violence Center. Hopefully they will give me money, but if not I will exchange any gifts I can to up the donation.

The tradition of giving gifts for Christmas goes back to the story of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, who came bearing gifts for the Baby Jesus, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. It's a myth or legend, of course, meant to show that even other nations recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. In short, what today we would call propaganda or "Fake News." Still, the holiday we call Christmas did serve to remind people that love for others was an essential part of Jesus' teaching. In the past, at least among the poor, gifts were hand made and often sorely needed by the recipient: food, clothes, etc.

Today, however, in America, it's been twisted into a consumerist orgy, and one of the most stressful times of the year for many people, many of whom are strapped financially. Nonetheless, they feel compelled to buy presents for their family and friends, even if it means going onto debt, maxing out their credit cards in a essentially surreal exercise in linking love and affection with material objects, many of which, as I said people really don't need.

So, if I may offer a piece of unsolicited advice, let us all try to wean ourselves from this materialistic and consumerist trap that benefits the rich and does little to help the people to whom they pay slave wages. If you give gifts, make it a meaningful one, whether to a loved one, or to the far too many people in need in our communities, millions of them in this most wealthiest of nations. A gift of your time, your service or money to help the many good and hard working charities (and check to make sure the charity is worthy of your gift) that cannot fill all the needs our government and our society should provide to the most vulnerable among us, but has failed to do so for so long.

And if you do wish to buy something for yourself or thers, buy from your friends such as the gifted artists and artisans of the Caucus 99 Catalog, as I did when I purchased a photographic print from snoopydawg for my wife. Snoopy, thank you. The gift of your talent enabled me to provide my wife with something special she will always treasure when she sees on her wall, a flower blooming in the desert.

Blessings to all of you here at c99.

Steve