By Javier Sanchez
On these, the holiest of days, Yuletide brings solace, silence, and reflection. We step into the night and see the North Star. Our breath trails behind us in a frigid, lingering mist.
This evening, not only do the stars shine more brightly than usual, but so do the ethereal planets. Mars is brighter than ever, shining its red glow upon us. Venus, Jupiter and even Saturn quietly course through their ellipse in quiet majesty. All is silent on this holy night.
Open your hearts. Open your mind. And close your eyes. You can hear the constant knocking on your breast. A primordial drum, that through spirit, liturgy, or a simple tapping into the calm of history, tells you it is time. The winter solstice is coming. The northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year and darkness will overcome. But remember, this diminutive day is short-lived, for immediately thereafter, the days grow longer. They grow stronger. Like you and I.
This happens because in the fear that darkness will rule, we find Christ and we celebrate Christmas. In the middle of this solemn, cold and fearful time, we forget ourselves and give to others. The act of giving makes us whole. It connects us to the life that Christ gave up in order that we may live. Perhaps that is how we come to understand God. He provided us with the story of a son who gave everything. Giving is innate, it is vital to the very thing that makes us human and brings us together, which is why this Christmas season, the restaurants in Española are giving back.
Whether you are lonely, or just want company, come spend time with friends. If you are hungry, come and eat with us. If you don’t want to cook, come and join us. If you want to volunteer, come and help us. We will provide a Northern New Mexico Christmas meal with enchiladas, pot roast, mashed potatoes with gravy (and red chile, of course), and dessert. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Day at the Apple Valley Kitchen (1226 N. Railroad Ave.) thanks to the help and donations from Sennie at Big Dawgs Catering, Jorge Lucero at Joann’s Restaurant and Phillip Maestas from La Cocina Restaurant. The food is free to everyone, but if you want to leave a nickel, all donations will be given to the San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen. For questions or to volunteer, contact Javier at 505-920-4386.
On these frosty winter nights, we sit back and take stock. We wonder what the meaning of life is, and we wonder what we have in common with our fellow man. The first thing that comes to mind in our aging hearts is that we want the pain to stop. We want the yearning to end. Some folks don’t get a hot meal. There are those among us who don’t have a friend to talk to or the means to make a Christmas dinner. Let’s give a helping hand. That is the what the Yuletide season is all about.
When I was a little boy, I remember listening to my favorite Christmas carol. It was the “Little Drummer Boy” and it used to make me cry. I used to think about this one lonely little boy whose love was so full that he only wanted to give of himself. He had no possessions, no means, and certainly nothing of value to give. Except the very thing that God gave him: his talent, his love and his song. That’s what we’re on Earth to do. Gaze up into the sky, watch with wonder how the moon shapes our breath and break bread with those among us. Please join us this Christmas Day for a free meal at Apple Valley Kitchen and let go of whatever ails you — your sins, your past, the memories of loved ones that are still too painful to consider during the holidays. Say goodbye to the darkness of winter and welcome the season of light. We are all family around the dinner table. Come join us.
Sanchez is a former Española mayor and investor in El Rito Media.