Cover photo courtesy Javier Domínguez. This article was brought to you in its entirety by Mean Gene Leather. Good gear hand sewn by a good man.

Originally published Dec. 25th, 2014. 

Today we run a short piece from guest author Alan Lambertson about Christmas. Many of us have been struggling with Christmas this year. In the face of everything going on, everything we see, the seemingly incessant trials of a turbulent society and years of war, just what is the reason for the holiday? It can be particularly difficult for those of us On The Job working shift, those who are deployed away from home, those who have come home and wonder why they’re home instead of someone else. Here’s one man’s answer to his challenge. Mad Duo

What is Christmas? 

Alan Lambertson 

What is Christmas? What is it, really? I cant’ get in touch with the day, with the intent of the holiday, the Holy Day. I just cannot, no matter what I do.

What is the meaning, the feeling, the cheer? I have lost it, I no longer possess the The Spirit. I see anger, hostility, depravity, advantage; despair, failure, dominance. I cannot see the love, cheer or celebration. No matter what I do, I cannot.

I see people hurting people; taking advantage of one another, hurting one another. Selfishness does not stop because the calendar changes to December 25th.

But as I speak with an old friend, wish her a Merry Christmas, no gifts, no pretense, just taking time from my day to devote to another human being who has endured more than I or many others I know, I understand the Meaning of the Season. To love, to share this experience, regardless of the reason. Just because you see, have seen, or know that evil and selfishness and other terrible compulsions exist…know also that a simple hello, a simple sharing of joy, of this life, can make a tremendous impact.

Mean Gene of Mean Gene Leather in his shop, teaching the next, next generation.

So with that, I learned, I believe I learned, the true meaning of this Holiest of Days. And with that, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holy Days to you all.

Alan Lambertson

This article was brought to you by Mean Gene Leather.

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