According to tradition, the Yule holiday on Earth that Was happened towards the end of the calendar year during the Winter season in the Norther hemisphere. For many folk back then, at least if you believed the little history we had left, a "White Christmas" was something they looked forward to. Was hard to reconcile the calendars and the seasons of our homes now with that old calendar, but folks still tried. They still wanted a white Christmas even out here, where we were pretty much guaranteed a dry Christmas.

There's been a lot written over the centuries about what the holiday meant and to whom. Being raised with Buddhist and Shinto traditions, my perspective on these holidays was 'something my friends did'. I always understood, and enjoyed, the tradition of giving each other presents, but the religious aspects weren't my world. It was the Shepherd's Way. Where I could respect it, and those that followed it, it wasn't mine.

But it was the Way for several people who were very close to me. For them, I could celebrate this season. Share a bit of the good. The joy they felt in the midst of a chaotic 'Verse. The fact was, you could share folks friendship and good will regardless of religion. The holiday was a convenient reason to be extra nice to one another. If only for a little while.

That's something I can share.

Whether someone believes in the Shepherd's Way or not, it doesn't really matter. No reason we can't set aside our differences, if only for a day, and put some good in the 'Verse. Spend some time with friends. Spend some time with family. Have a kind word for a stranger. Lavish some affection on the folk you love.

Enjoy your holiday. No matter what the weather.