All across America, children ask Santa to bring them a puppy for Christmas. They may be too young to understand the meaning of Christmas but kids crave unconditional, all-giving, non-critical love.

Ethnicity, religion or lack thereof doesn’t matter. What most epitomizes the meaning of Christmas? Love without reservation comes easily to mind. Being kind to each other without expectation of payback would surely be on everyone’s list of religious edicts.

Never holding a grudge is a huge spiritual achievement because, let’s face it, we are human. In fact, they say that self-awareness makes man unique in all of the animal kingdom. Of course that’s incorrect; chimps love mirrors and just like humans, they have ego. What about forgiveness? Dogs never hold a grudge. Mankind? Anyone who tramples our self esteem is hard to forgive.

Religious holidays generate incredible works of art. Scientists, locked up in the halls of higher learning, say the ability to create art separates humans from other animals.  Certainly they have never seen a spider’s web, the complexity of an eagle’s nest nor watched an elephant draw an image of an elephant.

Singing Christmas carols inspires us. Again, they say that singing separates us from lower life forms. Obviously they've never listened to a songbird, whales “singing” or the soft snuffle-sounds a mother dog makes as she licks her puppies.

Christmas represents the ultimate sacrifice, proof of faith and Christ's love everlasting. So forget what the scientists say. The real meaning of any religious teaching is to love unconditionally, without reservation. To forgive, and to love even those who insult, strike, starve or kill us. We humans seldom live up to that, we try but we're fickle.

The dog is what he is. The dog is the only creature that came to man of its own accord. Only the dog remains loyal, loving, and forgiving no matter how life treats it. When you think about it, the dog also exemplifies the meaning of Christmas, a gift of love that comes pre-wrapped in the beautiful vestige of religious teachings. 

Joseph and Mary sought refuge and found it in a barn. Many a dog will spend a cold Christmas night huddled in the hay. But the next morning he will love you unconditionally. He will forgive you for everything. Your dog would give his life for you. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Isn't that what every faith strives to teach its followers?

Give your dog a bone for Christmas but most of all, give him your love.

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