In this brief but poignant seasonal reflection, Stephen Bauman explores the profound paradox at the heart of the period between late November and early January. While this stretch of the calendar is filled with religious and civic celebrations that elevate gratitude, compassion, humility, and generosity, it also unleashes a torrent of commercialism, consumer pressure, and the myth that our highest civic duty is to “spend, spend, spend.”Stephen invites listeners to consider how this tension between sacred values and consumer impulses reveals something deeper: the true state of the human soul. At a time when spiritual language and holiday sentiments abound, what do our choices—our giving, receiving, and investing—actually say about who we are?A timely meditation for anyone seeking clarity, intention, and deeper meaning amid the frenzy of the holiday season.
