When Julie and I decide we want to go out for dinner, we often find ourselves having trouble figuring out a place to go. For every suggested spot, there is always a reason to say "no." Maybe it is too expensive, or the food isn't what we're looking for, or it will be too crowded or whatever. "No" is easy. Getting to "yes" can be hard. Making a choice to do something can be a challenge. This time of the year that same phenomenon can happen in lots of other contexts. It is easy to say what won't work as a gift for someone, but hard to find the truly-right present. It is easy to find things we don't like about the way Christmas is celebrated, but we can struggle with what brings us joy. Maybe that's just how we're built. Saying "no" can be the path of least resistance. It is often the easiest course. Making an affirmative choice and acting on it takes energy and puts us at risk in a way that saying "no" does not. We see that in today's Gospel (Mt 11: 16-19) where Jesus compares "this generation" to children in a marketplace who respond to neither dancing nor mourning in that the "generation" criticizes John the Baptist for being too observant-- not eating or drinking-- and criticizes Jesus for being too lax-- eating and drinking with "those sorts of people" (my words, not Jesus') namely, tax collectors and sinners. So easy to say "no." So easy to find all the things wrong with the Church these days (and any days, if you look back at history). We're too lax, or too observant. Our music is too traditional or too modern. Our liturgies are too casual or too formal. It takes true adults, true maturity, true "wisdom," to use the word Jesus uses, to get past the childish reaction of saying "no" and go out and do "works" (Jesus' word) that show our faith. Think about what that looks like at this time of the year. Think about where we can be Christ to others in ways we have not been before. Imagine how to celebrate Jesus' birth in a way that is profound, impactful, truly meaningful. Take the opportunity to use these Holidays to spread the Good News of the Gospel, not just the good news of presents. Can't figure out how to do that? Isn't that being like the children in the marketplace who would neither dance nor mourn? Think a bit more, and trust the Holy Spirit. Wisdom will come to you, and be vindicated by your "works." That's what Jesus tells us.