In yesterday's Oregonian there was a wonderful insert called 'Season of Sharing Wishbook.' The following is an excerpt from Peter Bhatia's letter to Oregonian readers.

"It was 78 years ago, in the grip of the Great Depression, that the Oregon Journal began organizing Christmas parties for the disadvantaged. A newspaper employee dressed as Santa Claus passed out stockings filled with treats at holiday parties held by community clubs, social service agencies and churches. From those modest beginnings, the tradition of helping continues. The Season of Sharing Wishbook you're reading shines a spotlight on families, individuals and nonprofit agencies in need throughout Oregon and southwest Washington."

I like that line, the tradition of helping. If you missed this insert in yesterday's paper you can find it online here. There are twenty wonderful stories and pictures of folks who could use a lift.

What is it about the November-December period on our calendars that, despite everything that may be going wrong in our own circumstances, we tend to think of others? Regardless of what you may think or believe, whether you are for-or opposed to Christmas Trees, whether you are for-or opposed to nativity scenes, whether you are for-or opposed to Hanukah, etc. etc., at this time of the year we tend to embrace diversity, as well as one another.

At the same time it is strange that three hundred of us will stand shivering in the cold at 5am to get some hot gift. Why do we do that? How often have we hurriedly crowded in to a store only to be told the store only had six or seven of the hot item at the hot price to begin with? Why are we motivated by something so foolish? Why do we do it each year? Advent Conspiracy is growing and they have a better idea.

The season is full of contradictions. We have the best of intentions for Thanksgiving and yet too often some silly argument leaves a bitter taste in our hearts. Why is that?

This season we will have something unique in Portland. On 11/18/09 I read a Joseph Rose article in the Oregonian about new signs that will be on the side of Trimet buses. The ad will say, "Are you good without God? Millions are."

"Fred Edwords, the national director of the United Coalition of Reason, said the ad, expected to appear on ten buses for a month, is intended to ease the minds and hearts of non-believers as they travel."

At this time of the year, with so many of us out of work, many of us losing our homes or wondering if we will be able to pay the rent, it is comforting to know that the United Coalition of Reason is spending money to make sure the minds and hearts of travelers will be at ease.

Is it unreasonable to wonder why a non-believer would be troubled in the first place?