Signs and songs everywhere remind us that this is the holiday season. It's time to extend good wishes to all, near and far. Gifts and decorations for Christmas, Hanukkah, and even the Winter Solstice are popping up in all the stores. Every shiny object claims to offer easy entry to the joyous mood our winter festivals can impart. All too often, the demands of the season, the added work of creating a perfect holiday, and the extra round of parties leaves many people feeling frustrated, and they ride through the month at the edge of their flashpoint for anger.

I preached on anger this last Sunday, and even as I spoke, I wondered if people would resent interjecting thoughts about this negative emotion into their holiday cheer. They didn't. Instead, I heard numerous stories from people who connected their growing sense of frustration not only to weight of holiday demands, but, to their increasing confusion about the never-ending Presidential election. This year many people find more reasons to be angry than ever before, and they want to know what to do about it. Anger isn't contained in this one season. It finds us in every hour of the year, and we each need to learn how to manage it. Our responses to anger fall into three broad categories. We can choose to succumb, reject, or use the anger that wells up in us.

Last Sunday, I talked about the dangers of succumbing to anger, the fortitude needed to let it go, and how anger coupled with wisdom has the power to change the status quo. The universe, it seems, has a special way of testing ministers to see whether they've been listening to their own sermons. Monday morning on my way to work as I was crossing Rt. 140, another vehicle appeared in my peripheral vision. As that car hit the fender of mine, and the noises of the collision assaulted my ears, I was instantaneously angry. How dare this stranger ignore the traffic lights and threaten my life? As the driver of the other car jumped out, and came toward me, my righteous indignation was coupled with a bit of fear. I couldn't read the expression on his face, and I wondered if he was going to try to blame me for the accident. When he spoke the first words out of his mouth were, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

My anger collapsed into relief. We called the police, comported ourselves amicably, and even offered each other holiday greetings as we left. I didn't need my anger to navigate this interchange, but, it arose at the moment I felt threatened. Letting go of that same anger was a reasoned response to the fact that only cars, not people, suffered from the collision. Reason and reflection can often help us to reject anger that's natural, but not necessary.

The universe wasn't through with me. As I drove to the police station to pick up an accident report, the electrical system gave out. The auto club gave me a hassle about my membership when I called for a tow. I called the dealer, and had the car towed to them... only to find out they don't do collision work. By the time my car found it's proper destination, the passive alarm key was missing. There's plenty of opportunity for anger in all this, and I've found my share. Fortunately, I've also found reasons to reject some of that anger as I talk with folks at garages and insurance agencies again and again.

However, I'm also using my anger for good wherever I can. When agencies aren't helpful, I'm making mental notes for letters of complaint, or plans to 'vote with my feet.' With my prompting, the dealership plans to train staff in the proper procedure for responding to calls about collision work. I asked the insurance company to communicate some of their policies earlier in the process. I'm trying to transform a simple emotion into the propulsive power for change.

Here we return to the meaning of the season. In dark mid-winter, when hopes flag and fear creeps in, we light candles, give thanks, remember miracles, and look toward a brighter day -- a day when our frustrations won't overwhelm us, and we'll be able to choose to reject our negative emotions, or to transform the world with their power. In that spirit, I end with a wish for "Happy Holidays!"