Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow… the moon on the breast … on the …
Sorry, what?

I hated Christmas. It was one of those contrived and made up excuses for corporate commercialism to profit from those weak and pathetic enough to feel the intrinsic need to “bond” with family and friends they otherwise wouldn’t talk to. Of course, bonding in this case meant spending hard earned money on overpriced crap nobody wanted in the first place.

Capsuleers didn’t suffer from this ailment.

Space was a lonely place. Living forever only added to the isolation we already experienced. I could rant about this for days on end without fail, but oddly, my heart was stuck on the topic I just scorned; Christmas.

What was it about that holiday in particular that brought out the best in people? What drove us to such great lengths to experience some piece of humanity, some yearning to reach out to each other?

Was it the religious aspect? The time off work? Was it the inherent need for real and meaningful relationships that many believed was a fundamental part of our existence?

I didn’t know. I didn’t care.

My heart wouldn’t let the topic go.

I had been told that part of Christmas was the joy of giving; that by simply giving of one’s self to another without expected return was one of the greatest experiences of the season. Christmas Spirit I believe it was called.

Fine.

Let’s start there. Let’s embrace Christmas and partake of the festivities that so many go on about.

Each and every day on the Advent Calendar (December 1 – December 24), I’m going to give away Christmas gifts. Some will be tangible. Others will not be. All will be given with the spirit of the season.

I hope you participate. I hope you enjoy.

ADVENT DAY 1

PRIZE: 1 PLEX donated from CCP.

TASK: Be the first to provide a link to a “death by snowball launcher” killmail in the comments of today’s blog and you win.

The winner will need to email me the character name to receive the PLEX, as it will be added to the hangar of the station you currently occupy when the PLEX is awarded, or if you aren’t docked, the last station you docked at.