RING THE BELLS FOR HOPE AND PEACE, RING THE BELLS FOR CHRISTMAS

It's easy to mock the commercialism of Christmas -- the plastic decorations, the early sales, the dash for toys. It's hard, sometimes, to remember the reason for the season.

Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth -- and life -- of a most remarkable man. His life -- whether we are Christian or not, whether we attend church or not -- touches all our lives nearly 2,000 years later. Our calendar is based on the year of his birth. Our laws were formulated on his principles. Most every man, woman and child has heard the name -- and the story -- of Jesus Christ.

What makes his story all the more remarkable is the fact he lived -- and died -- in an area not much larger than Cape Girardeau to Festus. He was born to a peasant woman. He learned a trade as a carpenter. From humble beginnings, his message has spread across the globe and flourished for nearly two centuries.

His good news is the reason for this season.

Amid the violence and hate brewing across the world, Christmas offers a time for people of all lands to pause and come together. The dove of peace often takes flight during this season of hope. World leaders talk of possibility -- instead of statistics and trends.

In his Christmas message, President Clinton embraced the promise of the post-Cold War era - where people around the world are throwing off the shackles of tyranny and committing themselves to the ideals of democracy.

In the words of our president: "Old enemies who met for centuries on the battlefield are now meeting on common ground to discuss peace. In our own country, many citizens are rededicating themselves to improving their communities and to ending the crime and violence that still threaten us. This has indeed been a year worthy of the Prince of Peace."

It's this season that people open their hearts to those less fortunate. We want all to share in our bounty and good tidings. But ironically, few of us slow down from life's hectic pace during the rest of the year to take stock of the blessings we possess. Our prosperity is certainly not limited to material wealth. Most times it's the people with good friends and family who are the happiest. This holiday season is a good time to appreciate those close to us -- with a big hug or kind word. Too often the loneliness of the holidays can become the heaviest burden.

There is a reason for this season.

It's this message of hope and peace that we should instill in our children. That's not to say we can't enjoy colored lights, Santa Claus and presents wrapped in foil and ribbons. But if these material matters become the only reason to celebrate, we are doomed to lament the toys we didn't receive or despair the post-holiday letdown.

What a different place this world might be if we celebrated these Christmas ideals of hope, peace, kindness and generosity in our hearts each and every day. There's a reason for this season and it doesn't end on Dec. 26. We must learn to carry this message of hope and peace throughout the new year.