The joy and good cheer of Christmas and Hanukkah has spread widely this year, not because these two significant are coinciding this evening, Christmas Eve, but because there are so many people moving throughout the Midcoast, taking care of others, ever so quietly and anonymously. They aren’t asking for recognition, but they deserve our collective thanks.

This year, Christmas and Hanukkah coincide, with Hanukkah beginning Christmas Eve — Chrismukkah, it’s been nicknamed. This happens periodically; the last time was in 1978, the next time will be in 2027, and it has to do with a difference between the Jewish and Gregorian calendars. Time magazine has a great piece on why (read it here). The Jewish Festival of Lights — Hanukkah — will last until Jan. 1, 2017, just as Christians are celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas, incorporating traditions that encompass 2,000 years of human history.

Hanukkah is celebrated by the lighting the menorah every night, signifying the eight nights in 165 B.C. that just a small amount of oil served a group of Jewish people as they fought the Greek army. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, with gatherings of friends and family and big-hearted gift-giving.

But for a number of individuals the holidays can be agonizing. If there’s no job or lots of debt, there’s no cash flow, no presents for children, no special meals, and little to look forward to, just when it seems like the fountain of plenty is flowing for so many others. The flight of Santa overhead brings little but anxiety and guilt.

So it is heartwarming to hear of the silent warmth that burbles up from different wells in the community, a glow that is unassuming, yet sweet, and asks for nothing in return.

From the Rockport Fire Dept., which adopted a family with three children for Christmas, to the teens who took on getting gifts for residents of the Hospitality House, and to the woman who walked into Reny’s to anonymously pay off the debt of others all bespeak the resolve of many to help others through whatever predicament they might be facing this winter.

The firefighters asked the town office is there was a family who needed anything this winter. As a matter of fact, there was.

‘Fine,’ said the firefighters, ‘we got this.’

They purchased coats and mittens and toys, food boxes, gas cards and oil vouchers, wrapped them all, and got a tree, decorated it, and will deliver the whole shebang to the family.

Another local resident put out on Facebook that he knew of a man who had hit a rough patch. The man has a young daughter, and Christmas was looking grim.

‘Fine,’ said the community. ‘We got this.’ 

The gifts and cash arrived, wrapped and ready to go.

On Matinicus, baskets of food and small goodies are specially prepared for older folks who do not get out of the house. In Rockland and Rockport, all 84 families (230) people associated with the Homeless Coalition and Hospitality House had been adopted by families in the community, and items on the wish lists were checked off.

These caring acts were not broadcasted loudly; in fact, one wouldn’t have known about any of them, except through private conversations. There were no press releases, no posters, no emails, no crowing about good deeds. 

Which says that many other similar caring acts are underway throughout our local communities, shining like pearls in a season that can be so cold. Someone is taking in an elderly neighbor, or grieving friend, for Christmas dinner. Someone else is buying an extra bag of bird seed for a neighbor who loves to fill the feeder, but just can’t afford it this year. 

To all of you who quietly spread your angel wings at Christmas, Hanukkah, and Solstice, your generosity and love feeds the wider world, and human spirit. It’s that simple, but we hear the song in your hearts.

Be of good cheer, and Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all of you. 

Peace out, from the Pilot!

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657